People with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome have higher levels of certain blood markers related to intestinal barrier function and immune response than healthy individuals, and...

Pro

Against

Mechanism

Synthesis from 1 study

How it works

A leaky gut lets bacterial toxins enter the blood, which turns on the immune system and causes widespread low-level inflammation. This inflammation disrupts the nerves that control automatic body functions like heart rate and digestion, leading to the fatigue, dizziness, and digestive problems seen...

Most probable mechanism

In Simple Terms

When the lining of the gut becomes too permeable, bacteria and their toxins can leak into the bloodstream. These toxins activate immune cells, causing low-grade inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation interferes with the nerves that control automatic functions like heart rate and digestion, leading to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and digestive issues.

Causal chain

Intestinal epithelial tight junctions are disrupted, increasing permeability of the gut barrier

Verified by multiple studies

which leads to

Bacterial lipopolysaccharides translocate from the gut lumen into systemic circulation

Verified by multiple studies

which leads to

Circulating lipopolysaccharides bind to soluble CD14, activating monocytes and macrophages via TLR4 signaling

Verified by multiple studies

which leads to

Activated monocytes and macrophages release pro-inflammatory mediators, establishing low-grade systemic inflammation

Supported by evidence

which leads to

Systemic inflammation alters signaling in autonomic nervous system pathways, disrupting regulation of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and other autonomic functions

Verified by multiple studies

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Community contributions welcome

Increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation are associated with fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: implications for disease-related biomarker discovery

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2023

Contradicting (0)

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation are associated with fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: implications for disease-related biomarker discovery

Score: 41

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1253121

Similar Assertions

People with fibromyalgia have higher levels of two specific proteins in their blood—zonulin-1 and anti-beta-lactoglobulin IgG antibodies—than people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, which may indicate differences in intestinal barrier function between the two conditions.

89%

Blood levels of four specific biological molecules—zonulin-1, anti-beta-lactoglobulin IgG antibodies, lipopolysaccharides, and soluble CD14—can be used to tell apart people with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome from those without these conditions, with a high level of accuracy based on statistical measures.

86%

People with fibromyalgia show higher levels of certain blood markers related to intestinal barrier function and immune response compared to healthy individuals, and these higher levels are associated with lower scores on measures of physical and mental well-being.

76%