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Metabolic adaptation and Fragility in healthy 3D in vitro skeletal muscle tissues exposed to CFS and LC sera. iiopscieniop.org 8/08/25

A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭

abstract
@Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid-19 (LC-19) are complex conditions with no diagnostic markers or consensus on disease progression.

Despite extensive research, no in vitro model exists to study skeletal muscle wasting, peripheral weakness, or potential therapies. We developed 3D in vitro skeletal muscle tissues to map muscle adaptations to patient sera over time.

Short exposures (48 H) to patient sera led to a significant reduction in muscle… read more

March 24
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A MyFibroTeam Member

Very interesting. The doc I saw at Mayo Clinic actually told me that Long COVID is a form of fibromyalgia. He feels that when I had COVID, it really ramped up my symptoms and made things worse. It was the trigger for me that made me start really pushing my doctors to figure out what was wrong with me. I can absolutely see the connection between CFS/ME as well. The idea of metabolic changes in muscle is very concerning though. Hopefully they continue to do research on this.

March 24
MyFibroTeam

What does this research about metabolic changes in muscle tissue mean for people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome?

This groundbreaking research helps explain why muscles feel so tired and weak with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The study shows that muscle cells go through dramatic changes when Show Full Answer

What does this research about metabolic changes in muscle tissue mean for people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome?

This groundbreaking research helps explain why muscles feel so tired and weak with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The study shows that muscle cells go through dramatic changes when exposed to patient blood, which could explain the fatigue many experience.

The research found that muscles initially try to adapt by ramping up energy production, but this hypermetabolic state eventually leads to muscle fragility and weakness. This aligns with what many experience - muscles that don't work efficiently and need much more fuel than they should.

Here's what happens in stages:

- Initial response (48 hours): Muscle strength drops significantly
- Adaptation phase: Muscles try to compensate by increasing energy production through glycolysis
- Breakdown phase (96-144 hours): Muscles become fragile and weak, with mitochondria (the cell's energy factories) breaking down

This could explain why living with fibromyalgia means muscles don't relax properly between contractions and why you're more likely to feel fatigued. The constant demand for extra fuel and the eventual deterioration of muscle function creates a cycle of exhaustion.

This research is important because it provides physical evidence of what's happening at the cellular level, countering the stigma that symptoms are "all in your head."

March 24
A MyFibroTeam Member

Because they are now studying Long COVID, they are learning new things which could help Fibromyalgia

March 24
A MyFibroTeam Member

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

March 24

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