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

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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.
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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.
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Item Type:
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[td]Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)[/td]
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Supervisor name:
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[td]Duinen, H. van[/td]
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Degree programme:
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[td]Biology[/td]
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Thesis type:
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[td]Bachelor's Thesis[/td]
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Language:
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[td]English[/td]
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Date Deposited:
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[td]01 Jul 2025 11:07[/td]
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Last Modified:
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[td]01 Jul 2025 11:07[/td]
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URI:
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[td]https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/35577
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