Thesis Metabolic dysregulation in ME/CFS: The role of hypometabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction in Post-Exertional Malaise, 2025, Marin

[Dolphin]

Metabolic Dysregulation in ME/CFS: The Role of Hypometabolism and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Post-Exertional Malaise - Student Theses Faculty of Science and Engineering

fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl

PDF: https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/35577/1/bBIO2025AnastasiaMarin.pdf

Metabolic Dysregulation in ME/CFS: The Role of Hypometabolism and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Post-Exertional Malaise​

​

​

​

Anastasia, Marin (2025) Metabolic Dysregulation in ME/CFS: The Role of Hypometabolism and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Post-Exertional Malaise. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

[TR]

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td][/td]
[/TR]
[TR]

[td]

​

[/td]​

[td]

[/td]
[/TR]

Abstract​

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating illness marked by profound fatigue and post-exertional malaise (PEM), characterised by a worsening of symptoms following minimal exertion.
Emerging studies suggest that metabolic dysfunctions, specifically hypometabolism and mitochondrial impairments, play a central role in the disease’s pathophysiology.
This thesis explores how disruptions in energy metabolism contribute to PEM through analysing the findings from metabolomic, physiological, and cellular studies.
ME/CFS patients show reduced oxidative phosphorylation, impaired fatty acid and amino acid metabolism, along with signs of mitochondrial inefficiency.
These disturbances lead to a persistent energy deficit, switching to reliance on short-term, anaerobic pathways that cannot sustain normal body function.
Mitochondrial studies reveal reduced reserve capacity and ATP production, supporting that PEM results from a failure to meet energy demands after exertion.
Together, these findings suggest that ME/CFS reflects a maladaptive, hypometabolic state, analogous to the cell danger response and dauer state, that disrupts energy homeostasis and recovery.
Understanding the metabolic pathways provides a foundation for future discovery of a specific biomarker that would lead to more effective diagnosis and metabolism-based therapies.

[TR]

[th]

Item Type:​

[/th]​

[td]Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)[/td]
[/TR]
[TR]

[th]

Supervisor name:​

[/th]​

[td]Duinen, H. van[/td]
[/TR]
[TR]

[th]

Degree programme:​

[/th]​

[td]Biology[/td]
[/TR]
[TR]

[th]

Thesis type:​

[/th]​

[td]Bachelor's Thesis[/td]
[/TR]
[TR]

[th]

Language:​

[/th]​

[td]English[/td]
[/TR]
[TR]

[th]

Date Deposited:​

[/th]​

[td]01 Jul 2025 11:07[/td]
[/TR]
[TR]

[th]

Last Modified:​

[/th]​

[td]01 Jul 2025 11:07[/td]
[/TR]
[TR]

[th]

URI:​

[/th]​

[td]https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/35577
[/td]
[/TR]