Transcription profile analysis of Vastus lateralis muscle in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 July-September;22(3):795-807.

Transcription profile analysis of Vastus lateralis muscle from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Pietrangelo T, Mancinelli R, Toniolo L, Toniolo L, Vecchiet J, Fan X00f2 G, Fulle S. Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences (BAMS), Center for Excellence on Aging (CeSI), University G. dAnnunzio Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling condition characterized by unexplained chronic fatigue that impairs normal activities. Many body systems are affected and etiology has not yet been identified. In addition to immunological and psychological aspects, skeletal muscle symptoms are prominent in CFS patients. In an effort to establish which pathways might be involved in the onset and development of muscle symptoms, we used global transcriptome analysis to identify genes that were differentially expressed in the vastus lateralis muscle of female and male CFS patients. We found that the expression of genes that play key roles in mitochondrial function and oxidative balance, including superoxide dismutase 2, were altered, as were genes involved in energy production, muscular trophism and fiber phenotype determination. Importantly, the expression of a gene encoding a component of the nicotinic cholinergic receptor binding site was reduced, suggesting impaired neuromuscular transmission. We argue that these major biological processes could be involved in and/or responsible for the muscle symptoms of CFS.

PMID: 19822097 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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written by Maff, October 20, 2009

Although this study may not explain the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) it certainly adds to the body of evidence demonstrating marked mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress in patients. Key to this study is the identification of genes involved in these processes which are expressed differently in patients than healthy individuals. This evidence provides a solid explanation for the severe muscle fatigue experienced by those with ME/CFS.