The potential therapeutic approaches targeting gut health in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a narrative review
Abstract Background Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disorder characterized by persistent fatigue and cognitive impairments, with emerging evidence highlighting the role of gut health in its pathophysiology. The main objective of this review was to synthesize...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Translational Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06527-x |
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| author | Chou-Yi Hsu Irfan Ahmad Rana Warid Maya Mayada Ahmed Abass Jitendra Gupta Abhayveer Singh Kamal Kant Joshi J. Premkumar Samir Sahoo Mohsen Khosravi |
| author_facet | Chou-Yi Hsu Irfan Ahmad Rana Warid Maya Mayada Ahmed Abass Jitendra Gupta Abhayveer Singh Kamal Kant Joshi J. Premkumar Samir Sahoo Mohsen Khosravi |
| author_sort | Chou-Yi Hsu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disorder characterized by persistent fatigue and cognitive impairments, with emerging evidence highlighting the role of gut health in its pathophysiology. The main objective of this review was to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data from research examining the gut microbiota composition, inflammatory markers, and therapeutic outcomes of interventions targeting the microbiome in the context of ME/CFS. Methods The data collection involved a detailed search of peer-reviewed English literature from January 1995 to January 2025, focusing on studies related to the microbiome and ME/CFS. This comprehensive search utilized databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with keywords including “ME/CFS,” “Gut-Brain Axis,” “Gut Health,” “Intestinal Dysbiosis,” “Microbiome Dysbiosis,” “Pathophysiology,” and “Therapeutic Approaches.” Where possible, insights from clinical trials and observational studies were included to enrich the findings. A narrative synthesis method was also employed to effectively organize and present these findings. Results The study found notable changes in the gut microbiota diversity and composition in ME/CFS patients, contributing to systemic inflammation and worsening cognitive and physical impairments. As a result, various microbiome interventions like probiotics, prebiotics, specific diets, supplements, fecal microbiota transplantation, pharmacological interventions, improved sleep, and moderate exercise training are potential therapeutic strategies that merit further exploration. Conclusions Interventions focusing on the gut-brain axis may help reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms in ME/CFS by utilizing the benefits of the microbiome. Therefore, identifying beneficial microbiome elements and incorporating their assessments into clinical practice can enhance patient care through personalized treatments. Due to the complexity of ME/CFS, which involves genetic, environmental, and microbial factors, a multidisciplinary approach is also necessary. Since current research lacks comprehensive insights into how gut health might aid ME/CFS treatment, standardized diagnostics and longitudinal studies could foster innovative therapies, potentially improving quality of life and symptom management for those affected. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-28ddfb667259468bbd33eb3a325a7c9b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1479-5876 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Translational Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-28ddfb667259468bbd33eb3a325a7c9b2025-08-20T02:15:07ZengBMCJournal of Translational Medicine1479-58762025-05-0123112110.1186/s12967-025-06527-xThe potential therapeutic approaches targeting gut health in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a narrative reviewChou-Yi Hsu0Irfan Ahmad1Rana Warid Maya2Mayada Ahmed Abass3Jitendra Gupta4Abhayveer Singh5Kamal Kant Joshi6J. Premkumar7Samir Sahoo8Mohsen Khosravi9Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State UniversityDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid UniversityMazaya University CollegeCollege of Pharmacy, Al-Mustaqbal UniversityInstitute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA UniversityCentre for Research Impact & Outcome, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara UniversityDepartment of Allied Science, Graphic Era Hill UniversityDepartment of Biomedical, Sathyabama Institute of Science and TechnologyDepartment of General Medicine, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to Be University)Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disorder characterized by persistent fatigue and cognitive impairments, with emerging evidence highlighting the role of gut health in its pathophysiology. The main objective of this review was to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data from research examining the gut microbiota composition, inflammatory markers, and therapeutic outcomes of interventions targeting the microbiome in the context of ME/CFS. Methods The data collection involved a detailed search of peer-reviewed English literature from January 1995 to January 2025, focusing on studies related to the microbiome and ME/CFS. This comprehensive search utilized databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with keywords including “ME/CFS,” “Gut-Brain Axis,” “Gut Health,” “Intestinal Dysbiosis,” “Microbiome Dysbiosis,” “Pathophysiology,” and “Therapeutic Approaches.” Where possible, insights from clinical trials and observational studies were included to enrich the findings. A narrative synthesis method was also employed to effectively organize and present these findings. Results The study found notable changes in the gut microbiota diversity and composition in ME/CFS patients, contributing to systemic inflammation and worsening cognitive and physical impairments. As a result, various microbiome interventions like probiotics, prebiotics, specific diets, supplements, fecal microbiota transplantation, pharmacological interventions, improved sleep, and moderate exercise training are potential therapeutic strategies that merit further exploration. Conclusions Interventions focusing on the gut-brain axis may help reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms in ME/CFS by utilizing the benefits of the microbiome. Therefore, identifying beneficial microbiome elements and incorporating their assessments into clinical practice can enhance patient care through personalized treatments. Due to the complexity of ME/CFS, which involves genetic, environmental, and microbial factors, a multidisciplinary approach is also necessary. Since current research lacks comprehensive insights into how gut health might aid ME/CFS treatment, standardized diagnostics and longitudinal studies could foster innovative therapies, potentially improving quality of life and symptom management for those affected.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06527-xChronic fatigue syndromeHealthMyalgic encephalomyelitisMicrobiota-gut-brain-axisMicrobiome-gut-brain-axisTherapeutics |
| spellingShingle | Chou-Yi Hsu Irfan Ahmad Rana Warid Maya Mayada Ahmed Abass Jitendra Gupta Abhayveer Singh Kamal Kant Joshi J. Premkumar Samir Sahoo Mohsen Khosravi The potential therapeutic approaches targeting gut health in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a narrative review Journal of Translational Medicine Chronic fatigue syndrome Health Myalgic encephalomyelitis Microbiota-gut-brain-axis Microbiome-gut-brain-axis Therapeutics |
| title | The potential therapeutic approaches targeting gut health in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a narrative review |
| title_full | The potential therapeutic approaches targeting gut health in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a narrative review |
| title_fullStr | The potential therapeutic approaches targeting gut health in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a narrative review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The potential therapeutic approaches targeting gut health in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a narrative review |
| title_short | The potential therapeutic approaches targeting gut health in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a narrative review |
| title_sort | potential therapeutic approaches targeting gut health in myalgic encephalomyelitis chronic fatigue syndrome me cfs a narrative review |
| topic | Chronic fatigue syndrome Health Myalgic encephalomyelitis Microbiota-gut-brain-axis Microbiome-gut-brain-axis Therapeutics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06527-x |
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