The role of the skeletal muscle and myocardial metabolism in ME/CFS: in vivo MRS study.

About

Status:

Ongoing

Principal investigator:

Martin Krssak

Country:

Austria

Study start:

2025-01

Completion (planned):

2026-03

Last update:

2024-12-10

Research types:

Clinical research

Research areas:

Musculoskeletal system dysfunction, Nutritional and metabolic system dysfunction, Cardiovascular system dysfunction

Interventions:

Physical exercise, Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI)

Priv. Sector Partner:

Not available

Sponsors:

WE&ME Foundation, Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF)

Links

Project website

Project description

ME/CFS is a complex pathology comprised of physical fatigue and neurocognitive, autonomic and immunological symptoms. Several studies have shown that changes in skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacity are one of the hallmarks of ME/CFS. Furthermore, the presence of oxidative damage of lipid component, excitation-contraction alteration with modification of Ca2+ transport, passage from slow to fast fibre typology and the inability to increase glucose uptake frame the picture of “old muscle in a young body”.

In this project the investigators will apply state-of-the-art magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging (MRSI) to characterise the skeletal muscle and cardiac morphology and biochemistry in patients with long COVID with and without ME/CFS and compare it to healthy volunteers. Applying non-invasive dynamic 31P MRS, the investigators will measure mitochondrial oxidative capacity. 1H MRS will be applied to measure skeletal muscle carnosine, intracellular lipid content and lactate accumulation following the exercise test and static 31P MRS to measure recently suggested surrogate marker of aging and insulin resistance – glycerophosphocholine. Patients will undergo thorough clinical functional examination and metabolic phenotyping.

Research included in this project will create new knowledge about the tissue specific molecular mechanisms of ME/CFS. It will bring together details on relations of skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacity, cardiac energy metabolism and function to whole body fitness, circulating biomarkers and clinical phenotype of ME/CFS. The project team will use the knowledge of the study results to create new hypotheses for their next research steps, including assessments following specific therapy regimens and of a broader population enabling, for example, assessments of possible covariates (sex, age, metabolic diseases, lifestyle). Access to clinical sites via the project's team will facilitate the translation of their research results into clinical practice.

(Description adapted from project website: see link above)