Abstract
PURPOSE: Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic multi-symptom illness that affects veterans who served during the 1990- 1991 Gulf War. Similar symptoms between GWI and known mitochondrial disorders have sparked investigations into the health of mitochondria in veterans with GWI. The objective of this study is to characterize the bioenergetic profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in veterans with GWI (GWI+) and controls (GWI-) and assess the relationship with symptom severity and physical activity. METHODS: 55 Gulf War veterans (85.5% male; 55.0±6.7 years) volunteered for this study. GWI case status and symptom severity were determined via the Kansas-Steele Questionnaire (KQ). Self-reported fatigue (Fatigue Severity Questionnaire; FSS) and physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire; IPAQ) were obtained via questionnaire. PBMCs were isolated from whole blood to determine bioenergetic profiles (Seahorse XFp), parameters of which are listed in the table. Between-group differences and associated effect sizes for each parameter and symptom/activity scales were assessed via Mann Whitney U and Hedges’ d, respectively. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between reserve capacity and GWI symptom severity (KQ total score), physical activity (IPAQ kcal/week) and fatigue severity (FSS mean score). RESULTS: 38 of 55 veterans met case definition for GWI. Self-reported symptom severity, physical activity level, and the profile parameters are reported in the table (mean±SD). Reserve capacity was associated with FSS (ρ = -0.29, p = 0.04), but not for KQ (ρ = -0.26, p = 0.05) nor physical activity (ρ = 0.18, p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: We observed differences in bioenergetic profiles between veterans with and without GWI. GWI+ veterans demonstrated a profile consistent with mitochondrial dysfunction and one that can be potentially used as a diagnostic tool. Supported by CDMRP GWIRP W81XWH-16-1-0663
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