1. Are Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and N-Terminal Prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide Promising Novel Biomarkers in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
- Author
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Domingo JC, Cordobilla B, Ferrer R, Giralt M, Alegre-Martín J, and Castro-Marrero J
- Subjects
- Case-Control Studies, Early Diagnosis, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic blood, Female, Humans, Interleukin-1beta blood, Interleukin-6 blood, Lipid Peroxides blood, Male, Middle Aged, Oxidative Stress, Self Report, Biomarkers blood, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic diagnosis, Fibroblast Growth Factors blood, Natriuretic Peptide, Brain blood, Peptide Fragments blood, Up-Regulation
- Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic, disabling, and complex multisystem illness of unknown etiology. The protein fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) regulates glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism, and the protein N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is strongly associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk; however, little is known about their role in ME/CFS patients. To address this gap, we explored the association between FGF21 and NT-proBNP and oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in ME/CFS. Twenty-one ME/CFS patients and 20 matched healthy controls were included in the study. Participants filled out validated self-reported questionnaires on their current health status covering demographic and clinical characteristics. Plasma showed significantly decreased total antioxidant capacity and increased lipoperoxide levels ( p = 0.009 and p = 0.021, respectively) in ME/CFS. These ME/CFS patients also had significantly increased levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and C-reactive protein) ( p < 0.05 for all) but not for IL-8 ( p = 0.833), indicating low-grade systemic inflammation status. Circulating FGF21 and NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher ( p < 0.0001 and p = 0.005, respectively) in ME/CFS patients than in healthy controls. Significantly positive correlations were found between NT-proBNP levels and IL-1β and IL-6 ( p = 0.04 and p = 0.01) in ME/CFS patients but not between FGF21 and these cytokines. In contrast, no significant correlations were found for either FGF21 or NT-proBNP in controls. These findings lead to the hypothesis that elevated FGF21 and NT-proBNP levels and the association between NT-proBNP and inflammation may be promising novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets in ME/CFS. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 34, 1420-1427.
- Published
- 2021
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