Fibromyalgia Syndrome Review

This investigation studied systemic inflammatory and stress responses, as well as the innate response mediated by monocytes and neutrophils in fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] patients. Twenty five women diagnosed with primary FMS and 20 agematched healthy women [control group] were enrolled in the study. Circulating ‘‘neuroendocrinestress’’ biomarkers [corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, NA, eHsp72, serotonin, and insulin-like growth factor-1] were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum interkeukin [IL]-8 and C-reactive protein concentrations were also determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and inflammatory cytokine release by monocytes [IL-1b, tumor necrosis factor a, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and RANTES] was evaluated by the Luminex BioPlex system. The phagocytic process of neutrophils [chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and microbicide capacity] was also evaluated. The FMS patients showed high circulating levels of IL-8 and C-reactive protein [in 100% of the FMS group], high circulating levels of cortisol, and increased systemic levels of NA and eHsp72. There is also increased release of inflammatory cytokines [IL-1b, tumor necrosis factor a, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1] by monocytes, and enhanced activation of the functional capacity of neutrophils [chemotactic, phagocytic, and fungicidal activities]. The authors conclude that these findings showed an inflammatory state accompanied by an altered stress response in FMS patients, supporting the notion of an inflammatory/stress feedback dysregulation underlying FMS.