368 - Relation of Immune Profile to Exercise-Induced Pain and Fatigue in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Giovanni Berardi, Adam Janowski, Samuel McNally, Gregorius Bernhard, Alpana Garg, Kathleen Sluka
Abstract
Individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) experience exercise-induced pain and fatigue (EIPF). EIPF can occur during and after exercise and is a barrier to participation in daily activities and exercise. While mechanisms of pain and fatigue are likely multifactorial, several studies suggest a prominent role of the immune system.
This study examined pain, fatigue, and immune cell profiles before and after an exercise task in 30 individuals with PASC, ME/CFS, and controls. Pain and fatigue were assessed prior to and for 7-days following exercise using 0-10 numerical rating scales.
PBMCs were isolated and monocyte, T-cell, natural killer cell, and B-cell phenotypes were characterized using flow cytometry before and after exercise. EIPF was defined as a composite change score for pain and fatigue over 72-hours following exercise and ranged from -4.0-5.3/10 in individuals with ME/CFS and PASC.
There were no differences in monocyte, T-cell, natural killer cell, or B-cell phenotypes at baseline or changes in phenotype following exercise among groups (p>.05).
Cluster analysis identified two distinct groups based on the baseline monocyte phenotype, an inflammatory group (classical monocytes>non-classical monocytes) and a non-inflammatory group (classical monocytes<non-classical monocytes).
The inflammatory group reported higher EIPF (inflammatory: 2.3, non-inflammatory: 0.9, p<.05), and the classical to non-classical monocyte ratio correlated with EIPF (r=.342,p=.05).
These data suggest immune function can drive the pain and fatigue response to an acute bout of exercise and may have implications for future development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics to address EIPF.
Link (The Journal of Pain) [Paywall]
Giovanni Berardi, Adam Janowski, Samuel McNally, Gregorius Bernhard, Alpana Garg, Kathleen Sluka
Abstract
Individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) experience exercise-induced pain and fatigue (EIPF). EIPF can occur during and after exercise and is a barrier to participation in daily activities and exercise. While mechanisms of pain and fatigue are likely multifactorial, several studies suggest a prominent role of the immune system.
This study examined pain, fatigue, and immune cell profiles before and after an exercise task in 30 individuals with PASC, ME/CFS, and controls. Pain and fatigue were assessed prior to and for 7-days following exercise using 0-10 numerical rating scales.
PBMCs were isolated and monocyte, T-cell, natural killer cell, and B-cell phenotypes were characterized using flow cytometry before and after exercise. EIPF was defined as a composite change score for pain and fatigue over 72-hours following exercise and ranged from -4.0-5.3/10 in individuals with ME/CFS and PASC.
There were no differences in monocyte, T-cell, natural killer cell, or B-cell phenotypes at baseline or changes in phenotype following exercise among groups (p>.05).
Cluster analysis identified two distinct groups based on the baseline monocyte phenotype, an inflammatory group (classical monocytes>non-classical monocytes) and a non-inflammatory group (classical monocytes<non-classical monocytes).
The inflammatory group reported higher EIPF (inflammatory: 2.3, non-inflammatory: 0.9, p<.05), and the classical to non-classical monocyte ratio correlated with EIPF (r=.342,p=.05).
These data suggest immune function can drive the pain and fatigue response to an acute bout of exercise and may have implications for future development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics to address EIPF.
Link (The Journal of Pain) [Paywall]
