Abstract
Purpose: To investigate biochemical pathways known to be involved in radiation response and in CFIDS to determine if there might be common underlying mechanisms leading to symptoms experienced by those accidentally or deliberately exposed to radiation and those suffering from CFIDS. If such a link was established to suggest testable hypotheses to investigate the mechanisms with the aim of identifying new therapeutic targets.
Conclusions: Evidence for involvement of the alpha-synuclein, cytochrome c oxidase, αB-crystallin, RNase L, and lactate dehydrogenase/STAT1 pathways is strong and suggests a common underlying mechanism involving mitochondrial dysfunction mediated by ROS and disruption of ATP production. The downstream effect of this is compromised energy production. Testable hypotheses are suggested to investigate the involvement of these pathways further.
Acknowledgments
The CFIDS Foundation Inc. who funded this review and in particular the director – Dr. Alan Cocchetto who pointed the authors in the direction of many of the papers covered by the review and provided encouragement and ideas.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Andrej Rusin
Andrej Rusin is at Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Colin Seymour
Colin Seymour is at Medical Physics & Applied Radiation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Carmel Mothersill
Carmel Mothersill is at Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Medical Physics & Applied Radiation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.