The energy metabolite oxaloacetate is significantly lower in the blood plasma of ME/CFS subjects
Research Study (provisionally accepted)
A previous open-label trial with oxaloacetate supplementation significantly reduced ME/CFS fatigue. In a follow-on trial, 82 ME/CFS subjects were enrolled in a 3-month randomized double blinded controlled trial using 2,000 mg oxaloacetate or control/day. The primary endpoints were safety and a reduction in fatigue from baseline. Secondary and exploratory endpoints reviewed functional capacity, and general health status.
Results
Anhydrous enol-oxaloacetate (oxaloacetate) was well tolerated at the doses tested. Oxaloacetate significantly lowered fatigue from baseline by >25%, whereas the control group was not significant at ~10% reduction.
MEA Comment
Dr Shepherd, MEA says:
Please note that this is a preliminary report from a small placebo controlled trial of oxaloacetate that was carried out at the Bateman Centre in the USA.
Oxaloacetate is a chemical that is found in every cell of the body and plays an important role in energy production in the mitochondria. It is also claimed to reduce low level inflammation in the nervous system/neuroinflammation.
The results need to be viewed with caution.
They are not a recommendation to people to start using Oxaloacetate supplements – which are quite expensive to purchase and would not be available on the NHS.
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
Further information
- The effect of a polynutrient supplement on fatigue and physical activity of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a double‐blind randomized controlled trial (Browers et al 2002) | 01 October 2002
- Oxaloacetate Treatment For Mental And Physical Fatigue In ME/CFS and Long Covid fatigue patients: a non-randomized controlled clinical trial (Cash & Lyons Kaufman 2022) | 28 June 2022
Oxaloacetate Treatment For Mental And Physical Fatigue In ME/CFS and Long Covid fatigue patients RCT
Editors' Note: Readers are advised that concerns have been raised regarding the methodology and reporting of this clinical trial and an incomplete declaration of competing interests, which are currently being investigated by the Editor-in-Chief. Further editorial action will be taken as appropriate once the investigation into the concerns is complete and all parties have been given an opportunity to respond in full.