Correction of neuro-immune disorders in a model of post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome with an IL-1 receptor antagonist

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue after a viral infection is common, and physical weakness is accompanied by cognitive impairment, leading to a decrease in the individual’s quality of life, loss of working capacity and, as a result, depression. Effective treatment methods have not yet been developed. AIM: Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the possibility of fatigue correction with a recombinant cytokine IL-1 receptor antagonist in an experimental model of post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The work was performed on male Wistar rats; experimental chronic fatigue syndrome was induced by a single injection of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid. We analyzed changes in behavioral reactions, the level of physical activity (degree of fatigue), changes in lactate concentration in blood and the expression of IL-1β, IL-10, INFα, 5-HTT, TLR3 genes in hypothalamus, and also assessed the splenocytes cytotoxic and proliferative activity. RESULTS: Medication of IL-1 receptor antagonist leads to improved physical activity, a decrease in the concentration of lactat in the blood serum and a decrease in anxiety compared to untreated animals, which may indicate a milder course of chronic fatigue syndrome during the period of its maximum manifestations. Inhibition of peripheral cells of the immune system after administration of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and correction of this parameter with IL-1 receptor antagonist were shown. On the 10th day of the experiment, all parameters in the group of treated rats normalized and only TLR3 expression still remained elevated at the level of untreated rats which is regarded as activation of reparation processes. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained data indicate that the use of the recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist alleviates the manifestations of post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome in rats and completes the pathological process at an earlier date. With a recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist is included in the treatment regimen for chronic fatigue syndrome in humans, positive results can also be expected.