Hydrogen Sulfide and CFS
I recently read about a hypothesis of hydrogen sulfide exposure causing chronic fatigue. This theory suggests that exposure to the chemical hydrogen sulfide(H2S) is causing mitochondrial dysfunction in patients and leading to a state of low energy production.
Hydrogen sulfide is found naturally in the body (in small amounts), but also found in the environment in sewers and car exhaust. At high levels it is extremely toxic, but at lower levels it actually functions as a signaling molecule that can influence blood pressure, the HPA axis, and the NMDA receptor.
Recent studies have shown that at lower doses, hydrogen sulfide can put the body into low energy state (almost like hibernation) where levels of metabolism, respiration, and heart rate are decreased. The ability of the mitrochondria to produce ATP can be dramatically reduced. At low levels of exposure, hydrogen sulfide can cause this low energy state along with increased levels of free radicals.
One way that people can be exposed to toxic levels of hydrogen sulfide is through increased levels of bacteria that produce H2S as a side effect of their metabolism of sulfur. Bacteria in the intestines can produce hydrogen sulfide use it as alternative to oxygen in anerobic situations. Another way that the body can be exposed to increased levels is if there is an issue with the metabolic cycle that removes it from the body.
Some symptoms for Hydrogen Sulfide toxicity include: headaches, fatigue, confusion, vertigo, nausea, etc. [Emedicine.com]
While researching this i found a comment by Dr. Trevor Marshall, in reaction to this theory stating that, “Chronic fatigue syndrome is NOT caused by dysregulation of hydrogen sulfide metabolism”. So, like most theories of CFS, there are many differing viewpoints. There is a new paper that advocates this theory, but i’m sure there are many in the medical community that would disagree with it.
