Exercise capacity and immune function in male and female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

In Vivo. 2005 Mar-Apr;19(2):387-90.

Abstract

Hyperactivition of an unwanted cellular cascade by the immune-related protein RNase L has been linked to reduced exercise capacity in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This investigation compares exercise capacities of CFS patients with deregulation of the RNase L pathway and CFS patients with normal regulation, while controlling for potentially confounding gender effects. Thirty-five male and seventy-one female CFS patients performed graded exercise tests to voluntary exhaustion. Measures of peak VO2, peak heart rate, body mass index, perceived exertion, and respiratory quotient were entered into a two-way factorial analysis with gender and immune status as independent variables. A significant multivariate main effect was found for immune status (p < 0.01), with no gender effect or interaction. Follow-up analyses identified VO2(peak) as contributing most to the difference. These results implicate abnormal immune activity in the pathology of exercise intolerance in CFS and are consistent with a channelopathy involving oxidative stress and nitric oxide-related toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Endoribonucleases / blood
  • Exercise*
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / immunology*
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Immunity
  • Male
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Endoribonucleases
  • 2-5A-dependent ribonuclease