Oxidative stress levels are raised in chronic fatigue syndrome

and are associated with clinical symptoms

Free Radical Biology & Medicine 2005; 39(5): 584-9

G Kennedy, VA Spence, M McLaren, A Hill, C Underwood, JJF Belch

Introduction:

The aetiology of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is unknown; however, recent evidence suggests that excessive free radical (FR) generation may be involved. This study investigated for the first time levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2a-isoprostanes alongside other plasma markers of oxidative stress in CFS patients and control subjects.

Methods:

Forty-seven patients (18 males, 29 females, mean age 48 [19–63] years) who fulfilled the Centres for Disease Control classification for CFS and 34 healthy volunteers (13 males, 21 females, 46 [19–63] years) were enrolled in the study. The CFS patients were divided into two groups; one group had previously defined cardiovascular (CV) risk factors of obesity and hypertension (group 1) and the second were normotensive and nonobese (group 2).

Results:

Patients had significantly increased levels of isoprostanes (group 1, P = 0.007; group 2, P = 0.03, unpaired t test compared to controls) and oxidised low-density lipoproteins (group 2, P = 0.02) indicative of a FR attack on lipids. CFS patients also had significantly lower high-density lipoproteins (group 1, P = 0.011; group 2, P = 0.005). CFS symptoms correlated with isoprostane levels, but only in group 2 low CV risk CFS patients (isoprostanes correlated with; total symptom score P = 0.005; joint pain P = 0.002; post­exertional malaise P = 0.027, Pearson).

Conclusion:

This is the first time that raised levels of the gold standard measure of in vivo oxidative stress (isoprostanes) and their association with CFS symptoms have been reported.

Samengevat:

• Geaksepteerde oxidatieve stress-markers (zoals isoprostane) zijn aantoonbaar verhoogd.
• Er is een sterke relatie tussen deze "vrije radikalen-marker" en de ernst van de klachten.