# Application of lipidomics to identify biomarkers of immune and mitochondrial disturbances in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

> **NIH NIH R21** · ROSKAMP INSTITUTE, INC. · 2020 · $197,454

## Abstract

The clinical presentation of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) includes cognitive disturbances, debilitating
fatigue, widespread pain and ﬂu-like symptoms which limit patients' ability to perform the activities of daily
living and, as a consequence, drastically lowering their quality of life. While the underlying causes remain
largely unknown, some studies do suggest that CFS might be caused by viral infections and exposure to
environmental toxins. This illness is associated with an aberrant activation of immune responses and
abnormal mitochondria function. Owing to the key role of lipids in modulating immune and mitochondria
function, the current study will attempt to identify lipids associated with these functions as novel blood
biomarkers of CFS.
 Recent studies show abnormal proﬁles of ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in patients with
CFS compared to controls. Levels of long-chain acylcarnitines are decreased in patients with CFS.
Furthermore, alteration in ether phospholipid (PL) that are synthesized in peroxisomes were also altered in
blood from CFS patients. We therefore hypothesize that lipids associated with modulating immune responses
and mitochondria and peroxisome function may be indicative of the underlying biological perturbations of their
functions in CFS. In this proposal, we will apply a highly versatile reverse phase capillary based liquid
chromatography system coupled to a high resolution and high mass accuracy LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer
to identify novel blood biomarkers of CFS. In addition, this study will focus on identifying lipid proﬁles
associated with the severity and types of CFS symptoms, particularly focusing on cognitive problems, fatigue
and pain. Given that women are at an increased risk of developing CFS, we will examine lipid proﬁles which
may differ between women and men with CFS. We expect that proposed studies will pave the way for future
investigations into understanding the role of lipid metabolism in CFS as it relates to immune and mitochondria
disturbances observed in ill patients. Availability of lipid biomarkers which give an indication of the underlying
pathology and related symptomatology will aid in providing personalized care to CFS patients where the level
of care and interventions provided to ill patients is tailored based on the diagnostic classiﬁcation, symptom
proﬁles and severity of illness.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9841376
- **Project number:** 5R21AI142717-02
- **Recipient organization:** ROSKAMP INSTITUTE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Laila Abdullah
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $197,454
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-12-21 → 2021-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9841376

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9841376, Application of lipidomics to identify biomarkers of immune and mitochondrial disturbances in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (5R21AI142717-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9841376. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*