Preprint Altered Lipid, Energy Metabolism and Oxidative Stress Are Common Features in a Range of Chronic Conditions, 2023, Morten et al

Review article.

Authors:
Karl Jonathan MORTEN
University of Oxford

Leah Davis
University of Oxford

Tiffany A. Lodge
University of Oxford

James Strong
University of Oxford

José Andrés Espejo-Oltra
Catholic University of Valencia Saint Vincent Martyr

Pawel Zalewski
Medical University of Warsaw

Etheresia Pretorius
Stellenbosch University - Cardio-Metabolic Research Group (CMRG)


Abstract

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) and Fibromyalgia are chronic illnesses that, despite their prevalence in society, are still of unknown aetiology. All three conditions present similar clinical symptoms and are difficult to diagnose due to a lack of appropriate biomarkers. Currently, diagnosis consists of satisfying clinical criteria and eliminating other conditions, a lengthy and often costly process for patients. The discovery of biomarkers would significantly speed up patient diagnosis and allow the development of pharmacological therapies that target the underlying metabolic causes of these diseases.

Metabolomics is an emerging research area used to characterise the metabolites present within biological specimens. Developments within this field now allow the analysis of thousands of metabolites within different samples and model systems, and have the potential to aid in unravelling the metabolic phenotypes that underpin complex metabolic diseases. ME/CFS, GWS and Fibromyalgia are three conditions that could benefit from a plasma/tissue metabolomics analysis, allowing a greater understanding of their aetiology and identify common pathways.

An analysis of the literature in these conditions reveals alterations within pathways associated with energy and lipid metabolism with alterations in key metabolites associated with elevated oxidative stress. Understanding what might drive the elevated oxidative stress within all three illnesses will not only be important in future research but could also be a potential therapeutic target for antioxidant medications which could be implemented to reduce the symptom burden in these illnesses.

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4455366

 

I had the honour to review this paper and upon receiving the draft, I found extremely interesting that they were looking at several "syndromes" that may have a common biological basis. Karl was aware of such possibility and this paper shows this awareness. I also had the opportunity to exchange some thoughts with him in Berlin regarding how AI could help speed things up. Anyone working with mitochondria should have constant financial support via grants in my opinion.