Research: Pall

Resources and information about the peer-reviewed MCS research of biochemist Martin Pall, PhD.

MCS researcher Martin Pall, PhD

Martin Pall’s research, a review of more than 1,500 references to scientific literature, shows a common causal (etiologic) mechanism for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Fibromyalgia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The chronic nature of MCS and also related multisystem illnesses is thought to be produced by a biochemical vicious cycle mechanism, the NO/ONOO- cycle, which is initiated by various stressors that increase nitric oxide and peroxynitrite levels (with some but not others acting via NMDA stimulation).

Click here for a one-page description of Pall’s theory as presented in his book Explaining ‘Unexplained Illnesses’: Disease Paradigm for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Fibromyalgia, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Gulf War Syndrome and Others (2007).

Contact info:
Martin L. Pall, professor emeritus of biochemistry and basic medical sciences, Washington State University.
Research director, Tenth Paradigm Research Group.
Website: www.thetenthparadigm.org
martin_pall@wsu.edu
503.232.3883

Martin Pall explaining elevated nitric oxide and oxidative stress in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and related illnesses (three-part video, posted 2010):

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

ABSTRACT on Pall’s MCS research, published as chapter 92 in the prestigious reference work for professional toxicologists,  General and Applied Toxicology, 3rd Edition (2009, John Wiley & Sons):

Cases of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) are reported to be initiated by seven classes of chemicals. Each of the seven acts along a specific pathway, indirectly producing increases in NMDA activity in the mammalian body. Members of each of these seven classes have their toxicant responses lowered by NMDA antagonists, showing that the NMDA response is important for the toxic actions of these chemicals. The role of these chemicals acting as toxicants, in initiating cases of MCS has been confirmed by genetic evidence showing that six genes that influence the metabolism of these chemicals, all influence susceptibility to MCS. It is likely that chemicals act along these same pathways, leading to increased NMDA activity when they trigger sensitivity responses in MCS patients.

The chronic nature of MCS and also related multisystem illnesses is thought to be produced by a biochemical vicious cycle mechanism, the NO/ONOO- cycle, which is initiated by various stressors that increase nitric oxide and peroxynitrite levels (with some but not others acting via NMDA stimulation). The NO/ONOO- cycle is based on well documented individual mechanisms. The interaction of this cycle with previously documented MCS mechanisms, notably neural sensitization and neurogenic inflammation, explains many of the previously unexplained properties of MCS. This overall mechanism is also supported by physiological correlates found in MCS and related multisystem illnesses, objectively measurable responses to low level chemical exposure in MCS patients, many studies of apparent animal models of MCS and also evidence from therapeutic trials of MCS-related illnesses. Some have argued that MCS is a psychogenic illness, but this view is completely inconsistent with this diverse data on MCS and related illnesses and the literature claiming psychogenesis of MCS is deeply flawed. In addition, two rare predictions that can be used to test psychogenesis both lead to rejection of the psychogenic hypothesis. While the NO/ONOO- cycle mechanism for MCS is supported by many different observations, there are also multiple areas where further study is needed.

To learn more, see this article by Martin Pall in the Townsend Letter: How Can We Cure NO/ONOO− Cycle Diseases? Approaches to Curing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Gulf War Syndrome and Possibly Many Others (2010). ABSTRACT:

The NO/ONOO− cycle is a biochemical vicious cycle that is thought to cause such diseases as chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), fibromyalgia (FM), and possibly a large number of other chronic inflammatory diseases. The chemistry/biochemistry of the cycle predicts that the primary mechanism is local such the depending on where it is localized in the body, it may cause a variety of different diseases. Previous studies have shown that agents that lower such cycle elements as oxidative stress, nitric oxide, inflammatory responses, mitochondrial dysfunction, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) depletion and NMDA activity produce clinical improvements in CFS/ME and FM patients, consistent with the predictions of the cycle mechanism. Multiagent protocols lowering several aspects of the cycle appear to be the most promising approaches to therapy. These include an entirely over-the-counter nutritional support protocol developed by the author in conjunction with the Allergy Research Group. However, such mulitagent protocols to date have not produced any substantial numbers of cures of these presumed NO/ONOO− cycle disease. Why is that? This paper argues that what is called the central couplet of the cycle, the reciprocal relation between peroxynitrite elevation and BH4 depletion, is not being adequately downregulated by these multiagent protocols. Ten agents/classes of agents are available, each of which downregulates one or the other end of this central couplet. It is suggested, then, that treatments that simultaneously effectively downregulate both ends to the central couplet, when used along with multiagent protocols lowering other aspects of the cycle and avoidance of stressors that otherwise upregulate the cycle, will lead to substantial numbers of cures of these chronic diseases.

Interview: A conversation with MCS researcher Martin Pall, PhD (2005) by Linda Powers, CBS Interactive Business Network.

Article on Martin Pall, PhD: The NO/ONOO- Oxidative-Inflammatory Disease Model (2007).

An informational flyer about Pall Protocol Antioxidant Suggestions. You can find the supplements at the Allergy Research Group, but most of them are less expensive at ProHealth. (The Canary Report and its contributors have no financial interest in either company.)

Articles and interviews with Martin Pall at ProHealth.com:

• Dr. Martin Pall Publishes Research-Based Article Explaining MCS as ‘a Reaction to Chemicals, Not Odors’ (2009)
• Q&A with Martin Pall, PhD, on the Evidence that MCS is a Toxicological Illness (2009)
• Dr. Pall Repositions MCS as Disease Initiated by Toxic Exposure – and a Global Epidemic (2009)
• Dr. Pall Debuts Website on ‘Tenth-Paradigm’ Diseases Including FM, ME/CFS, and MCS (2009)
• B-12 Deficiency in ME/CFS and FM May Provide Clues & Relief (2008)
• Professor of Biochemistry Explains Mechanisms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia & Suggested Protocol (2007)
• Nitric Oxide Cycle Theory: Will It Explain CFS, FM, and Other ‘Unexplained’ Illnesses? – Q&A with Martin L. Pall, PhD (2007)
• Antioxidant Suggestions For Down-regulation of the NO/ONOO- Cycle from Dr. Martin Pall, PhD (2007)
• Do sauna therapy and exercise act by raising the availability of tetrahydrobiopterin? [Dr. Pall] – (Source: Medical Hypotheses, Jul 8, 2009)
• Nitric oxide synthase partial uncoupling as a key switching mechanism for the NO/ONOO- cycle (2007)
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity – The End of Controversy? (2003)
• Abstract: NMDA sensitization and stimulation by peroxynitrite, nitric oxide, and organic solvents as the mechanism of chemical sensitivity in multiple chemical sensitivity (2002)

Radio interview with Martin Pall on WOR Willner Window (2009).

More posts at The Canary Report about Martin Pall’s research.

The above links are posted for informational purposes only. The Canary Report is not responsible for the content of external websites, and the listing does not infer endorsement. Please note that Martin Pall is not a medical doctor and is clear in his writings that MCS symptoms and remedies differ from patient to patient because the tissues impacted differ from one patient to another; he emphasizes that none of his writings are to be taken as medical advice. Check with your doctor before making any change in your supplement regime.