Metformin Intervention Trial Targeting Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) in ME/CFS

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Auteur principal: Eshuis, Erik
Format: Recurso digital
Langue:anglais
Publié: Zenodo 2025
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author Eshuis, Erik
author_facet Eshuis, Erik
contents <p>This preprint presents the <em>Metabolic Reset Program for ME</em> (MRP–ME), a systems-based framework designed to clarify and modulate the metabolic mechanisms underlying post-exertional malaise (PEM) in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). PEM is conceptualized as a maladaptive metabolic attractor state characterized by impaired AMPK activation, early lactate accumulation, mitochondrial inefficiency, reduced oxygen extraction, and autonomic instability.</p> <p>MRP–ME proposes a safe, low-intensity intervention centered on metabolic stabilization, combining low-dose metformin as a pharmacological AMPK activator with non-destabilizing strategies for circadian alignment, micro-movement, redox support, and microvascular optimization. The framework generates explicit, falsifiable physiological predictions—reduced lactate response, improved autonomic resilience, shorter PEM duration, and enhanced day-to-day stability.</p> <p>A corresponding randomized controlled trial (RCT) design is outlined, focused on metformin repurposing as a first-step mechanistic test of PEM modifiability. This approach aligns directly with current repurposing calls and biobank-supported ME research infrastructures.</p> <p>MRP–ME aims to establish a precise experimental foundation for metabolic intervention studies in ME/CFS.</p> <p><strong>Positioning note<br></strong>While metformin is also being evaluated in pragmatic post-COVID platform trials (e.g. RECLAIM), the present preprint describes a conceptually independent trial framework. It is explicitly centred on post-exertional malaise (PEM) as a system-level phenomenon, using PEM-based stratification, intervention rationale, and outcome logic that differ fundamentally from platform-based post-COVID studies.</p> <p>Conceptual provenance and conditions for use of the trial framework are documented separately (see Zenodo DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17922679" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17922679</a>).</p>
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spellingShingle Metformin Intervention Trial Targeting Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) in ME/CFS
Eshuis, Erik
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
ME/CFS
Post-Exertional Malaise
Metabolic dysregulation
AMPK activation
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Lactate metabolism
Oxygen extraction
Autonomic dysfunction
Metformin
Energy Metabolism
Energy Metabolism/immunology
Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)
<p>This preprint presents the <em>Metabolic Reset Program for ME</em> (MRP–ME), a systems-based framework designed to clarify and modulate the metabolic mechanisms underlying post-exertional malaise (PEM) in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). PEM is conceptualized as a maladaptive metabolic attractor state characterized by impaired AMPK activation, early lactate accumulation, mitochondrial inefficiency, reduced oxygen extraction, and autonomic instability.</p> <p>MRP–ME proposes a safe, low-intensity intervention centered on metabolic stabilization, combining low-dose metformin as a pharmacological AMPK activator with non-destabilizing strategies for circadian alignment, micro-movement, redox support, and microvascular optimization. The framework generates explicit, falsifiable physiological predictions—reduced lactate response, improved autonomic resilience, shorter PEM duration, and enhanced day-to-day stability.</p> <p>A corresponding randomized controlled trial (RCT) design is outlined, focused on metformin repurposing as a first-step mechanistic test of PEM modifiability. This approach aligns directly with current repurposing calls and biobank-supported ME research infrastructures.</p> <p>MRP–ME aims to establish a precise experimental foundation for metabolic intervention studies in ME/CFS.</p> <p><strong>Positioning note<br></strong>While metformin is also being evaluated in pragmatic post-COVID platform trials (e.g. RECLAIM), the present preprint describes a conceptually independent trial framework. It is explicitly centred on post-exertional malaise (PEM) as a system-level phenomenon, using PEM-based stratification, intervention rationale, and outcome logic that differ fundamentally from platform-based post-COVID studies.</p> <p>Conceptual provenance and conditions for use of the trial framework are documented separately (see Zenodo DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17922679" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17922679</a>).</p>
title Metformin Intervention Trial Targeting Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) in ME/CFS
topic Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
ME/CFS
Post-Exertional Malaise
Metabolic dysregulation
AMPK activation
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Lactate metabolism
Oxygen extraction
Autonomic dysfunction
Metformin
Energy Metabolism
Energy Metabolism/immunology
Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)
url https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17886420