EXERTION-INDUCED CYTOKINES IN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

DESCRIPTION This application is intended
to test the hypothesis that the fever, fatigue and myalgia
experienced by some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are
due to abnormal cytokine production and leukocyte activity. Cytokines
such as interleukin 1B (IL-1B) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNFa)
mediate fever and metabolic adaptations during infection. Exercise
enhances production of these cytokines in healthy individuals, but an
altered response may account for the exertionally-induced clinical
signs and symptoms in CFS patients. In this study, cytokine production,
along with associated leukocyte functions and metabolic responses will
be measured before and after exercise in CFS patients and control
subjects. A demonstration of abnormal cytokine production after
exercise could help to explain the pathogenesis of an illness that at
present is poorly understood. In addition, such information may lead
to effective therapy; cytokine production can be influenced by dietary
modifications, and cytokine activity can be altered by receptor
antagonists and soluble receptors that are currently undergoing clinical
trials.