Evidence browser

Effects of Chronic Diurnal Disruption and Acute Inflammatory Challenge on Mice with Latent Murine Gammaherpesvirus Infection.

Trammell, Rita A, Toth, Linda A·Comparative medicine·2016

This study examined how disrupted sleep-wake cycles (like those from shift work) affect mice infected with a dormant virus, especially when their immune systems are weakened. Researchers found that mice exposed to disrupted schedules who then experienced inflammation had higher levels of reactivated virus in their lungs. This suggests that combining poor sleep patterns with immune challenges might trigger symptom flare-ups similar to those seen in ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Dysregulation of Protein Kinase Gene Expression in NK Cells from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Patients.

Chacko, Anu, Staines, Donald R, Johnston, Samantha C et al.·Gene regulation and systems biology·2016

This study looked at immune cells called NK cells in people with ME/CFS to understand why they don't work properly. Researchers examined the activity of hundreds of genes that control how these immune cells function and found that many genes were turned on or off abnormally in severely ill patients compared to healthy people. This suggests that problems with how these genes are regulated may explain why NK cells cannot fight infections effectively in ME/CFS.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse fatigue and its relevance to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Zhang, Zi-Teng, Du, Xiu-Ming, Ma, Xiu-Juan et al.·Journal of neuroinflammation·2016

Researchers created a mouse model of fatigue by exposing mice to immune stress (a bacterial compound) combined with physical stress. They found that a specific immune protein called NLRP3 becomes active in the brain during fatigue, and that blocking this protein reduced fatigue symptoms. This suggests that controlling this immune pathway might help treat fatigue in conditions like ME/CFS.

Investigation of the effects of vanilloids in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sarvaiya, Kuldeep, Goswami, Sunita·Brain research bulletin·2016

This study tested whether compounds that affect a pain-sensing protein called TRPV1 could help reduce fatigue and related symptoms in an animal model of ME/CFS. Rats that were stressed through repeated swimming showed improvements in fatigue, muscle strength, mood, and stress hormone levels when treated with these compounds, suggesting that TRPV1 may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

A Pair of Identical Twins Discordant for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Differ in Physiological Parameters and Gut Microbiome Composition.

Giloteaux, Ludovic, Hanson, Maureen R, Keller, Betsy A·The American journal of case reports·2016

This study compared two identical twins—one with ME/CFS and one without—to understand what causes the illness. The affected twin showed reduced exercise capacity, abnormal responses to physical exertion, and differences in immune markers and gut bacteria compared to the healthy twin. These findings suggest that ME/CFS involves problems with how the body responds to exercise and changes in the gut bacteria that may trigger inflammation.

Gut MicrobiomeImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Novel identification and characterisation of Transient receptor potential melastatin 3 ion channels on Natural Killer cells and B lymphocytes: effects on cell signalling in Chronic fatigue syndrome/Myalgic encephalomyelitis patients.

Nguyen, T, Staines, D, Nilius, B et al.·Biological research·2016

This study looked at special channels called TRPM3 on immune cells (natural killer cells and B cells) that help control calcium flow inside cells. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have fewer of these channels on certain immune cells and problems with calcium movement compared to healthy people. This suggests that broken calcium control in immune cells might play a role in ME/CFS, though much more research is needed to understand what this means for the illness.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

MicroRNAs hsa-miR-99b, hsa-miR-330, hsa-miR-126 and hsa-miR-30c: Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers in Natural Killer (NK) Cells of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Petty, Robert D, McCarthy, Neil E, Le Dieu, Rifca et al.·PloS one·2016

This study examined tiny molecules called microRNAs in immune cells from ME/CFS patients and healthy people. Researchers found that four specific microRNAs were abnormally high in patients' blood, particularly in natural killer (NK) immune cells. When they tested these microRNAs in the lab, they found they affected how NK cells work, suggesting this might contribute to ME/CFS symptoms.

BiomarkersImmune System

Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genotype and Haplotype Investigation of Natural Killer Cells from an Australian Population of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Patients.

Huth, T K, Brenu, E W, Staines, D R et al.·Gene regulation and systems biology·2016

This study looked at special immune cells called Natural Killer cells and the genes that control them in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers examined specific genetic variations in 20 ME/CFS patients and 20 healthy controls. They found that people with ME/CFS had a lower frequency of a particular genetic pattern related to immune cell control, which may help explain why some ME/CFS patients have weaker immune responses.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Reversal of Refractory Ulcerative Colitis and Severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms Arising from Immune Disturbance in an HLA-DR/DQ Genetically Susceptible Individual with Multiple Biotoxin Exposures.

Gunn, Shelly R, Gunn, G Gibson, Mueller, Francis W·The American journal of case reports·2016

This case report describes one 25-year-old man who had both severe inflammatory bowel disease and chronic fatigue syndrome that improved dramatically after identifying and removing mold exposure from his home, receiving a hormone replacement therapy (VIP), and doing stress-reduction exercises. The patient's genetic makeup made him more susceptible to problems when exposed to toxic mold, and treating the underlying immune disturbance resolved his symptoms without medication.

NeuroinflammationEnergy MetabolismImmune System

The Deleterious Effects of Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress on Palmitoylation, Membrane Lipid Rafts and Lipid-Based Cellular Signalling: New Drug Targets in Neuroimmune Disorders.

Morris, Gerwyn, Walder, Ken, Puri, Basant K et al.·Molecular neurobiology·2016

This review explains how harmful molecules called oxidative and nitrosative stress damage specific fatty structures in cells that are important for cell communication and brain function. These damaged structures may contribute to ME/CFS, along with other conditions affecting the brain and immune system. The authors suggest that omega-3 fatty acid supplements might help restore these damaged cellular structures.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

The Neuro-Immune Pathophysiology of Central and Peripheral Fatigue in Systemic Immune-Inflammatory and Neuro-Immune Diseases.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael, Galecki, Piotr et al.·Molecular neurobiology·2016

This review examines why people with ME/CFS and similar immune-based illnesses experience severe, disabling fatigue. The authors identify multiple biological pathways that may contribute to this fatigue, including excessive inflammation, problems with how cells produce energy, and chemical imbalances in the brain and muscles. The fatigue appears to result from a complex interaction between the immune system, energy production, and brain function rather than a single cause.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The Role of Microbiota and Intestinal Permeability in the Pathophysiology of Autoimmune and Neuroimmune Processes with an Emphasis on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Type 1 Diabetes and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael, Carvalho, André F et al.·Current pharmaceutical design·2016

This review explores how problems with the gut barrier and changes in gut bacteria may trigger widespread immune activation and brain inflammation in ME/CFS and other autoimmune diseases. When the intestinal lining becomes more permeable (leaky), bacteria and their products can enter the bloodstream, potentially causing the fatigue, brain fog, and other symptoms characteristic of ME/CFS.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

The many roads to mitochondrial dysfunction in neuroimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael·BMC medicine·2015

This paper examines how mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of our cells—can become damaged in several conditions including ME/CFS. The authors found that while the specific causes may differ between patients, most people with these conditions share a common problem: their bodies produce too many harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, which damage cells and trigger inflammation. This damage to mitochondria may explain why patients struggle with energy production and fatigue.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The relationship between interleukin-6 in saliva, venous and capillary plasma, at rest and in response to exercise.

Cullen, T, Thomas, A W, Webb, R et al.·Cytokine·2015

Researchers measured a protein called IL-6 that the body produces during exercise and inflammation. They took samples from blood and saliva before and after exercise to see if IL-6 levels changed and whether different measurement methods gave similar results. They found that IL-6 increased in blood after exercise, but saliva samples did not show this increase, suggesting saliva may not be a reliable way to track this immune marker.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

Induction Murine Models of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Brucella abortus Antigen Injections: Is Anemia Induced or Not?

Moriya, Junji, He, Qiang, Uenishi, Hiroaki et al.·BioMed research international·2015

Researchers injected mice with bacterial antigens from Brucella abortus to create an animal model of ME/CFS. They found that at high doses, the injections caused temporary anemia (low red blood cells), but at moderate doses, anemia did not develop. Importantly, in both groups, the mice showed persistent low activity levels for weeks after treatment stopped, suggesting the injections could trigger lasting fatigue-like symptoms without necessarily causing anemia.

Fluorescent nanodiamonds as a relevant tag for the assessment of alum adjuvant particle biodisposition.

Eidi, Housam, David, Marie-Odile, Crépeaux, Guillemette et al.·BMC medicine·2015

This study developed a new technology using tiny fluorescent diamonds to track where aluminum adjuvants (a component in vaccines) travel in the body and how long they stay there. Researchers found that these aluminum particles, which are used to boost immune response in vaccines, can move from the injection site to lymph nodes, the spleen, liver, and brain, where they accumulate over time. This tracking technology could help scientists better understand whether long-term exposure to these particles might cause health problems.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Macrophagic myofasciitis and vaccination: consequence or coincidence?

Santiago, Tânia, Rebelo, Olinda, Negrão, Luís et al.·Rheumatology international·2015

This study looked at 16 patients with a muscle condition called macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF), where aluminum from vaccines builds up in muscle tissue at the injection site. Half of these patients also had chronic fatigue syndrome. The researchers found that most patients had received aluminum-containing vaccines before their symptoms started, suggesting vaccines might trigger this muscle condition in some people.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome: An infectious disease.

Underhill, R A·Medical hypotheses·2015

This paper argues that ME/CFS may be caused by an infectious agent that persists in the body, based on evidence like flu-like onset, clustering of cases in outbreaks, and immune responses similar to other infections. The author reviews existing clinical and epidemiological patterns to support an infectious disease hypothesis. However, the paper is a theoretical argument rather than a study presenting new experimental evidence, and no specific pathogen has been identified.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Oral Colostrum Macrophage-activating Factor for Serious Infection and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Three Case Reports.

Inui, Toshio, Kubo, Kentaro, Kuchiike, Daisuke et al.·Anticancer research·2015

This study looked at whether a substance called macrophage-activating factor (MAF), derived from cow colostrum (first milk after birth), could help three patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and serious infections. The researchers found that patients who took oral MAF experienced improvements in fatigue and infection symptoms without serious side effects. While these are promising early observations, the study is very small and would need much larger testing to know if this treatment truly works.