Evaluation of Muscle Function in Persian Gulf Veterans.
Abstract
In an effort to investigate the etiology responsible for the ongoing chronic fatigue (CF) and muscle weakness in veterans with Persian Gulf (PG) illness we are performing a comprehensive evaluation of skeletal muscle in PG veterans with CF and healthy control veterans. Preliminary evaluation of 18 veterans with CF and 7 healthy control veterans shows evidence that muscle function is impaired in veterans with PG illness. Specifically, a significant decrease was found in the mitochondrial ATP producing capacity in Gulf veterans with CF compared to healthy veterans. MRI measurements show that there is no difference in the cross-sectional area of the calf muscles of both populations, indicating that the decrease in mitochondrial function of the veterans with CF is not simply the result of severe disuse or deconditioning. In addition, while the relative fatigability of skeletal muscle in the healthy veterans and veterans with CF is not different, the total amount of work that can be performed is significantly higher in the healthy veterans. Further examination of skeletal muscle using a combination of electrical stimulation, muscle biopsies and EMG is being performed to confirm the myopathic origin of chronic fatigue in PG illness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA348644
Entities
People
- Krista Vandenborne
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania