Can Radiation Poisoning Provide Insight into CFS?
An article by Dr. Martin Pall discusses how the effects of post radiation syndrome mimicked the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. He believes that this provides more evidence to support his NO/ONOO(-) cycle theory of chronic fatigue.
In this theory, inducible nitric oxide is increased in the body by any number of different reasons (viral infection, stress, chemical exposure). This can set off a cycle where nitric oxide increases the damaging free radical peroxynitrite and the overall oxidant load on the body.
This oxidative stress in the body can raise levels of NF-k B which leads to the production of more nitric oxide.
Dr. Pall believes that this cycle can lead directly to the symptoms of chronic fatigue.
So, how does this relate to radiation poisoning?
It is known that ionizing radiation can lead to an increase of NF-k B. Increased levels of NF-k B, lead to higher levels of inducible nitric oxide. This can set off the cycle Dr. Pall discusses.
A study from 2000 talks about how many workers in the aftermath of the Russian nuclear accident at Chernobyl fit the criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The workers in this accident that were under the level that would be considered harmful, were found to have increased fatigue, insomnia, cognitive problems, and other symptoms that are similar to chronic fatigue syndrome.
This might not be conclusive proof, but it at least takes us in a direction where the theories can be tested and proved or disproved.
