Fibromyalgia pain is associated with cytokines and oxidized LDL levels. The study looked at 48 patients with fibromyalgia and 43 healthy women . Researchers assessed the participants’ functional status, severity of the symptoms, and the number of tender points using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Widespread pain was also assessed with the VAS, the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), and the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS). Blood serum was examined for interleukin (IL)-1-beta, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
There were no differences between either groups in the levels of oxidized LDL, IL-8, TNF-a, and IL-1-beta, but differences emerged between VAS and serum IL-8 and TNF-a in the group of patients with fibromyalgia.
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Fibromyalgia patients also presented a relationship between their SSS score and serum oxidized LDL, but no relationship between tender points and the cytokines or oxidized LDL.
Levels of cytokine protein and fibromyalgia
A German study looked at cytokines in 40 patients with chronic widespread pain of which 26 had a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Individuals with chronic widespread pain also had lower levels of cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 compared to individuals without chronic pain. The findings suggest that there may be a link between cytokines and fibromyalgia.
Cytokines are proteins that help the immune system function properly. Cytokines also assist white blood cells to ward off infection. This results in inflammation, which may help explain the pain experienced in fibromyalgia. Additional research is required to determine if cytokines play a role in fibromyalgia or may even be a possible cause of the condition.
