Unravelling the nature of postexertional malaise in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: the role of elastase, complement C4a and interleukin-1beta

J Intern Med. 2010 Apr;267(4):418-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2009.02178.x.

Abstract

Objectives: Too vigorous exercise or activity increase frequently triggers postexertional malaise in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a primary characteristic evident in up to 95% of people with ME/CFS. The present study aimed at examining whether two different types of exercise results in changes in health status, circulating elastase activity, interleukin (IL)-1beta and complement C4a levels.

Design: Comparative experimental design.

Setting: University.

Subjects: Twenty-two women with ME/CFS and 22 healthy sedentary controls

Interventions: participants were subjected to a submaximal exercise (day 8) and a self-paced, physiologically limited exercise (day 16). Each bout of exercise was preceded and followed by blood sampling, actigraphy and assessment of their health status.

Results: Both submaximal exercise and self-paced, physiologically limited exercise resulted in postexertional malaise in people with ME/CFS. However, neither exercise bout altered elastase activity, IL-1beta or complement C4a split product levels in people with ME/CFS or healthy sedentary control subjects (P > 0.05). Postexercise complement C4a level was identified as a clinically important biomarker for postexertional malaise in people with ME/CFS.

Conclusions: Submaximal exercise as well as self-paced, physiologically limited exercise triggers postexertional malaise in people with ME/CFS, but neither types of exercise alter acute circulating levels of IL-1beta, complement C4a split product or elastase activity. Further studying of immune alterations in relation to postexertional malaise in people with ME/CFS using multiple measurement points postexercise is required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Complement C4a / metabolism*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Fatigue / metabolism*
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / metabolism*
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1beta / blood*
  • Pancreatic Elastase / blood*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Complement C4a
  • Pancreatic Elastase