Nightsong
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Abstract:
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) are characterized by persistent pain and fatigue that are exacerbated with exercise. Prior research suggests multiple physiological processes including metabolism and inflammation may impact the symptom presentation of ME/CFS and PASC. Exercise influences multiple physiological systems and leads to the release of myokine (BDNF, irisin) and adipokine (leptin, adiponectin, resistin) biomarkers that regulate metabolism and inflammation.
We aimed to examine pain, fatigue, exertion and five exercise-induced biomarkers (BDNF, irisin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin) during a 25-minute bout of moderate-intensity exercise in individuals with PASC (n=30), ME/CFS (n=30), and healthy controls (n=30). Pain, fatigue, and exertion were assessed throughout exercise using 0-10 numerical rating scales. Serum biomarker concentrations were evaluated before and immediately after exercise using multiplex. Differences in biomarker concentrations were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and biomarker differences among symptom profiles were analyzed with a two-step cluster analysis.
Participants were categorized into mild and moderate-to-severe pain groups, with no differences found (Group × Time interaction) in response to exercise, except for BDNF. Participants with moderate-to-severe pain had an increase in BDNF with exercise while those with mild pain had a decrease. Clustering on exercise-induced pain, fatigue, and exertion, participants were classified into two groups Leptin and resistin concentrations were higher in the greater symptom severity group. These data indicate that BDNF, leptin, and resistin may warrant further investigation into their role and exercise-induced symptoms.
Abstract link
[Conference abstract from the 2026 USASP Annual Scientific Meeting,
abstracted in the supplement to vol. 41 of the Journal of Pain, March 2026]
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) are characterized by persistent pain and fatigue that are exacerbated with exercise. Prior research suggests multiple physiological processes including metabolism and inflammation may impact the symptom presentation of ME/CFS and PASC. Exercise influences multiple physiological systems and leads to the release of myokine (BDNF, irisin) and adipokine (leptin, adiponectin, resistin) biomarkers that regulate metabolism and inflammation.
We aimed to examine pain, fatigue, exertion and five exercise-induced biomarkers (BDNF, irisin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin) during a 25-minute bout of moderate-intensity exercise in individuals with PASC (n=30), ME/CFS (n=30), and healthy controls (n=30). Pain, fatigue, and exertion were assessed throughout exercise using 0-10 numerical rating scales. Serum biomarker concentrations were evaluated before and immediately after exercise using multiplex. Differences in biomarker concentrations were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and biomarker differences among symptom profiles were analyzed with a two-step cluster analysis.
Participants were categorized into mild and moderate-to-severe pain groups, with no differences found (Group × Time interaction) in response to exercise, except for BDNF. Participants with moderate-to-severe pain had an increase in BDNF with exercise while those with mild pain had a decrease. Clustering on exercise-induced pain, fatigue, and exertion, participants were classified into two groups Leptin and resistin concentrations were higher in the greater symptom severity group. These data indicate that BDNF, leptin, and resistin may warrant further investigation into their role and exercise-induced symptoms.
Abstract link
[Conference abstract from the 2026 USASP Annual Scientific Meeting,
abstracted in the supplement to vol. 41 of the Journal of Pain, March 2026]
