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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

A Standardized Copper Bian-Stone Gua Sha Protocol for Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Human Subjects
Published on: July 3, 2026
Cytokine production and modulation: comparison of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and normal controls
Akemi Tomoda1, Takako Joudoi, El-Mezayen Rabab
1Department of Child Development, School of Medicine, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. atomoda@mclean.harvard.edu
Abstract:
We studied cytokine production in 15 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 23 controls. CFS patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with lipopolysaccharide or phytohemagglutinin. Enzymatic immunoassay indicated cytokine concentration in culture supernatants. CFS patients showed significantly lower mRNA levels and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) production. Cytokine dysregulation affects CFS pathogenesis. TGF-beta1 may aid treatment because it affects CFS inflammatory characteristics.
