Posted by MERM on 8/21/2008, 12:51 pm, in reply to "Mitochondrial Dysfunction No recovery from exertion no energy to keep going an important element"
An Overview of Human Growth Hormone by Daniel Rudman, MD.
http://www.holtorfmed.com/nss-folder/printable_pdf/growth_hormone/hgh_overview.pdf
Diagnosis of HGH Deficiency by Daniel Rudman, MD.
http://www.holtorfmed.com/nss-folder/printable_pdf/growth_hormone/diagnosis_of_gh_deficiency.pdf
HGH Information at "The Analyst"
http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C13209.html
A review of results of studies of the HPA and other neuroendocrine axiis in CFS, concluded,
disturbance of the HPA axis may be important in the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS) and fibromyalgia. Symptoms may be due to: (1) low circulating cortisol; (2) disturbance of
central neurotransmitters; or (3) disturbance of the relationship between cortisol and central
neurotransmitter function. Accumulating evidence of the complex relationship between cortisol and serotonin function, make some form of hypothesis most likely. The opioid system, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) may also be abnormal, though the growth hormone (GH) axis appears to be intact, in CFS.
A novel hypothesis is that CFS is a subset and is a neurophysiological disorder focussing on the
amygdala. The unconscious amygdala may become conditioned to be chronically sensitised to
negative symptoms arising from the body. Negative signals from the viscera or physiological,
chemical and dietary stressors, become conditioned stimuli and the conditioned response is a chronic sympathetic outpouring from the amygdala via various brain pathways including the hypothalamus (thus HPA axis). This cell assembly then produces the CFS vicious circle, where an unconscious negative reaction to symptoms causes immune reactivation/dysfunction, chronic sympathetic stimulation, leading to sympathetic dysfunction, mental and physical exhaustion, and a host of other distressing symptoms and secondary complications. A state of low cortisol might sensitise the HPA axis to development of persistent central fatigue after stress.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA or HTPA axis) is a complex set of direct influences and feedback interactions between: the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal or suprarenal gland. The fine, homeostatic interactions between these three organs constitute the HPA axis, a major part of the neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress and regulates various body processes including digestion, the immune system, mood and sexuality, and energy usage.
Is it all about the Hypthalamus Gland? Many seem to think so. The hypothalamus links the
nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and the responses of the nervous
system are a result of the information sent to it from the pituitary gland, via the hypothalamus
gland. In the mitochondrial dysfunction protocol, doctors believe that a defective hypothalamus
gland is the root cause for many of the symptoms FM/CFS sufferers exhibit. Again, testing is of
little help in diagnosing this as the tests lack the sensitivity to detect this central dysfunction.
Many physicians offer treatment in the form of Cortisol supplentation since it's usage has few, if any side effects and offer a possibility of improved health and energy levels even when lab tests have indicated levels with normal or acceptable ranges.
Here are some links for you to further your research on the hypthalamus gland, cortisol and the
HPA Axis.
David Mikel, MD explains why he believes the hythalamus gland is responsible for FM on video.
Mikel Therapy: Dr. Mikel's Website
http://www.mickeltherapy.com/
One hypothesis of the cause of FM/CFS is in which either viral or bacterial infection induces one or more cytokines. These induce nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), (which are enzymes in the body that contributes to transmission from one neuron to another, to the immune system and to dilating blood vessels), leading to increased nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide, in turn, reacts with superoxide radicals, to generate the potent oxidant peroxynitrite. Superoxide is biologically quite toxic and is deployed
by the immune system to kill invading microorganisms. Multiple amplification and positive feedback mechanisms are proposed by which once peroxynitrite levels are elevated, they tend to be sustained at a high level. Such a vicious cycle mechanism has been proposed to explain the etiology of CFS, FMS and MCS. Stressors, acting primarily through the nitric oxide product, peroxynitrite, are thought to initiate a complex vicious cycle mechanism, known as the NO/ONOO- cycle that is responsible for symptoms in chronic illness. The role of peroxynitrite in the NO/ONOO- cycle also implies that such uncoupling is part of the chronic phase cycle mechanism such that agents that lower uncoupling will be useful in treatment.
In English: Our bodies attack themselves over and over again!
The role of oxidative stress in CFS is an emerging focus of research due to evidence of its'
association with some pathological features of this syndrome. New data collectively supports the
presence of specific critical points in the muscle membranes that are affected by free radicals and in view of these considerations, the possible role of skeletal muscle oxidative imbalance in CFS is considered.
Here are some links for further research on NO/ONOO and the effects of Oxidative Stress:
The NO/ONOO Cycle as a Cause of Fibromyalgia, By Martin L. Pall
http://mcs-america.org/review.pdf
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Oxidative Stress and Dietary Modifications
By Alan C. Logan, ND and Cathy Wong, ND
http://www.thorne.com/media/chronic_fatigue_syndrome.pdf
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