Evidence browser

Changes in fatigue, autonomic functions, and blood biomarkers due to sitting isometric yoga in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Oka, Takakazu, Tanahashi, Tokusei, Sudo, Nobuyuki et al.·BioPsychoSocial medicine·2018

This study tested whether a gentle form of yoga practiced while sitting could help reduce fatigue in ME/CFS patients. Fifteen patients who had not improved with standard treatments did sitting isometric yoga twice a week with an instructor plus daily practice at home for eight weeks. After a single session, patients reported feeling less tired and more energetic, with their bodies showing signs of reduced stress and inflammation.

Aluminum in vaccines: Does it create a safety problem?

Principi, Nicola, Esposito, Susanna·Vaccine·2018

This review examined whether aluminum in vaccines could cause serious health problems, particularly in children. The researchers looked at existing research on aluminum's effects on the nervous system and found no clear evidence that aluminum in vaccines causes brain damage. However, they noted that a possible link between certain aluminum-containing vaccines and two conditions—macrophagic myofascitis and ME/CFS—needs further investigation before firm conclusions can be made.

Females have stronger neurogenic response than males after non-specific nasal challenge in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Tomljenovic, Dejan, Baudoin, Tomislav, Megla, Zeljka Bukovec et al.·Medical hypotheses·2018

This study looked at how men and women with seasonal allergies respond differently to nasal irritants. Researchers found that women had stronger burning sensations and higher levels of a nerve-signaling chemical called substance P compared to men when exposed to salt water or allergen challenges. This suggests that women's bodies may process nasal irritation through a different biological pathway involving both immune cells and nerve signals.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Dysfunction in Cholestatic Liver Disease.

Petrescu, Anca D, Kain, Jessica, Liere, Victoria et al.·Frontiers in endocrinology·2018

This review examines how the stress hormone system (HPA axis) works and what happens when it breaks down in people with liver disease. The HPA axis is like your body's control center that manages stress responses and many other important functions. The authors explain how inflammation in the liver can disrupt this system, potentially leading to the fatigue and other symptoms seen in both liver disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.

CD24 Expression and B Cell Maturation Shows a Novel Link With Energy Metabolism: Potential Implications for Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Mensah, Fane F K, Armstrong, Christopher W, Reddy, Venkat et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2018

This study looked at a specific type of immune cell marker called CD24 found on B cells (infection-fighting cells) in ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients have more CD24+ B cells than healthy people, and these cells behave differently when it comes to energy use and cell survival. The findings suggest that ME/CFS may involve problems with how B cells handle energy metabolism.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Infection Elicited Autoimmunity and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Explanatory Model.

Blomberg, Jonas, Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard, Elfaitouri, Amal et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2018

This study proposes that ME/CFS may develop when a person's immune system mistakenly attacks their own body after an infection, particularly affecting energy production in muscles and the brain. The researchers suggest that some people may have a genetic tendency to develop these harmful immune responses, especially when their gut bacteria are out of balance. When exposed to a triggering infection, the immune system can begin attacking proteins involved in energy metabolism and nerve function, leading to the exhaustion and post-exertion symptoms that characterize ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryPEM not requiredRegistry-Resource

The autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA)/Shoenfeld's syndrome: descriptive analysis of 300 patients from the international ASIA syndrome registry.

Watad, Abdulla, Quaresma, Mariana, Bragazzi, Nicola Luigi et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2018

This study examined 300 patients who developed autoimmune diseases after exposure to adjuvants (immune-stimulating substances in vaccines and other products). The most common symptoms were joint pain, muscle pain, and chronic fatigue, and most patients developed another autoimmune condition within about 17 months of exposure. The researchers found that different adjuvants caused slightly different patterns of illness.

Loss of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 ion channel function in natural killer cells from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients.

Cabanas, Hélène, Muraki, Katsuhiko, Eaton, Natalie et al.·Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.)·2018

This study examined a specific ion channel called TRPM3 in immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells, which help fight infections and cancer. Researchers found that this channel doesn't work properly in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people, which may affect how these immune cells function. This discovery could help explain why ME/CFS patients often have weakened immune responses.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the Era of the Human Microbiome: Persistent Pathogens Drive Chronic Symptoms by Interfering With Host Metabolism, Gene Expression, and Immunity.

Proal, Amy, Marshall, Trevor·Frontiers in pediatrics·2018

This review explores the idea that ME/CFS may be caused by persistent infections (like Epstein-Barr virus) that disrupt the body's microbial communities and normal cell functions. These infections can interfere with how cells work, how genes are expressed, and how the immune system responds, potentially leading to the chronic symptoms patients experience. The authors suggest that treating ME/CFS might involve helping the immune system fight these persistent infections.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

[Immunopathogenesis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)].

Yamamura, Takashi, Ono, Hirohiko, Sato, Wakiro·Brain and nerve = Shinkei kenkyu no shinpo·2018

This study found that people with ME/CFS have unusual patterns of immune system chemicals (cytokines) in their blood and spinal fluid, and some patients have antibodies that attack their own bodies. When researchers treated some ME/CFS patients with a medication that removes certain immune cells called B cells, patients improved. This suggests that ME/CFS may be caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Investigation of mast cell toll-like receptor 3 in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Systemic Mastocytosis using the novel application of autoMACS magnetic separation and flow cytometry.

Balinas, Cassandra, Nguyen, Thao, Johnston, Samantha et al.·Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology·2018

This study looked at immune cells called mast cells in people with ME/CFS, comparing them to people with a known mast cell disorder and healthy volunteers. Mast cells help the body fight viruses and allergies. The researchers found differences in how these cells behave when exposed to viral-like substances, suggesting mast cells may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

Dehydroepiandrosterone Research: Past, Current, and Future.

Klinge, Carolyn M, Clark, Barbara J, Prough, Russell A·Vitamins and hormones·2018

This is a historical review of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a hormone that naturally decreases with age. Scientists have studied whether DHEA might help with various health conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, but the evidence in humans is limited. While some benefits have been found in postmenopausal women and certain autoimmune disorders, most human studies show only weak connections between DHEA levels and disease outcomes.

Rituximab impedes natural killer cell function in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients: A pilot in vitro investigation.

Eaton, Natalie, Cabanas, Hélène, Balinas, Cassandra et al.·BMC pharmacology & toxicology·2018

This study examined how a drug called Rituximab affects natural killer (NK) cells—immune cells that help fight infections—in people with ME/CFS. Researchers tested blood samples from 8 ME/CFS patients and 9 healthy people in a lab dish. When exposed to Rituximab, NK cells from ME/CFS patients became less effective at killing infected cells and showed signs of stress, suggesting the drug might harm these already-weakened immune cells.

[Effect of Acupuncture on the Expression of Transcription Factor T-bet/GATA-3 in Plasma of Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome].

Wang, Xiang-Yi, Liu, Chang-Zheng, Lei, Bo·Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2017

Researchers tested whether acupuncture could help rats with chronic fatigue syndrome by measuring changes in immune system markers. Acupuncture was applied to three specific points for two weeks, and the treated rats showed improved tiredness and swimming performance compared to untreated rats. The study suggests acupuncture may work by rebalancing immune system signals that become disrupted in ME/CFS.

Impaired calcium mobilization in natural killer cells from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis patients is associated with transient receptor potential melastatin 3 ion channels.

Nguyen, T, Johnston, S, Clarke, L et al.·Clinical and experimental immunology·2017

This study examined immune cells called natural killer cells in ME/CFS patients and healthy people to understand how calcium moves in and out of these cells. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients have lower levels of a specific channel (TRPM3) that helps control calcium movement in certain types of natural killer cells. The study suggests that problems with calcium signaling in these immune cells may contribute to how the immune system behaves differently in ME/CFS patients.

Immune SystemNeuroinflammation

Non-linear dose-response of aluminium hydroxide adjuvant particles: Selective low dose neurotoxicity.

Crépeaux, Guillemette, Eidi, Housam, David, Marie-Odile et al.·Toxicology·2017

This study gave mice different amounts of aluminum hydroxide (a substance used in vaccines) injected into muscle and then checked their brains 6 months later. Surprisingly, the mice that received the lowest dose showed cognitive and movement changes, increased immune cell activity in the brain, and accumulated more aluminum in their brains—while the mice given higher doses did not. This unusual pattern suggests that aluminum's harmful effects may not simply follow the traditional "more dose = more harm" rule.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

Detection of Urine Metabolites in a Rat Model of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome before and after Exercise.

Shao, Changzhuan, Ren, Yiming, Wang, Zinan et al.·BioMed research international·2017

Researchers used rats exposed to stress and exercise to model ME/CFS and then measured chemicals in their urine before and after exercise. They found abnormalities in how the rats' bodies produce energy and process hormones, particularly in molecules called sphingosine and a hormone precursor called 21-hydroxypregnenolone. These findings suggest that ME/CFS may involve disrupted energy metabolism and problems with the body's stress-response system.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Two hundreds cases of ASIA syndrome following silicone implants: a comparative study of 30 years and a review of current literature.

Colaris, Maartje J L, de Boer, Mintsje, van der Hulst, Rene R et al.·Immunologic research·2017

This study compared 200 patients with silicone breast implants who developed autoimmune and inflammatory symptoms (a condition called ASIA) across two time periods—100 patients in 2014 and 100 historical patients from the 1980s–1990s. The researchers found that the symptoms remained similar over 30 years, including fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, and fever. About half of the patients who had their implants removed experienced symptom improvement.

Immune SystemNeuroinflammation

Nitrosative Stress, Hypernitrosylation, and Autoimmune Responses to Nitrosylated Proteins: New Pathways in Neuroprogressive Disorders Including Depression and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael, Klein, Hans et al.·Molecular neurobiology·2017

This study proposes that ME/CFS may be caused by a harmful process called 'hypernitrosylation,' where a molecule called nitric oxide damages proteins in cells, particularly those responsible for producing energy and fighting infections. When this damage becomes chronic, it can disable the body's natural repair systems and trigger the immune system to attack the body's own proteins. The researchers suggest this process could explain many ME/CFS symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive problems, and how bacterial toxins may trigger or worsen the disease.