title: Decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate but normal insulin-like growth factor in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): relevance for the inflammatory response in CFS.
abstract: There are a few reports that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may be accompanied by changes in hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF1). This study examines the serum concentrations of DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS), IGF1 and IGF1 binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) in 20 patients with CFS and in 12 normal controls. The IGFBP3/IGF1 ratio was computed as an index for IGF1 availability. We found significantly lower serum DHEAS concentrations in CFS, but no significant differences either in IGF1 or the IGFBP3/IGF1 ratio between CFS patients and normal controls. The decrease in serum DHEAS was highly sensitive and specific for CFS. There were significant and positive correlations between serum DHEAS and serum zinc and the mitogen-induced expression of the CD69 molecule on CD3+CD8+ T cells (an indicator of early T cell activation). There was a significant and negative correlation between serum DHEAS and the increase in the serum alpha-2 protein fraction (an inflammatory marker). Serum IGF1, but not DHEAS, was significantly and inversely correlated to age. The results show that CFS is accompanied by lowered levels of DHEAS and that the latter may play a role in the immune (defect in the early activation of T cells) and the inflammatory pathophysiology of CFS.
authors.affiliation: M-Care4U outpatient Clinics, and the Clinical Research Center for Mental Health, Olmenlaan 9, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mihaylova
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Ruyter
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015415:Biomarkers; D017252:CD3 Complex; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D015032:Zinc; D000099192:CD69 Antigens