Decreased muscle concentrations of ATP and PCR in the quadriceps muscle of fibromyalgia patients - A 31P-MRS study

Background and Methods Fibromyalgia (FMS) has a prevalence of approximately 2% in the population. Central alterations have been described in FMS, but there is not consensus with respect to the role of peripheral factors for the maintenance of FMS. 31P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) has be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of pain 2013-09, Vol.17 (8), p.1205-1215
Main Authors: Gerdle, B., Forsgren, M.F., Bengtsson, A., Leinhard, O. Dahlqvist, Sören, B., Karlsson, A., Brandejsky, V., Lund, E., Lundberg, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenosine Triphosphate - metabolism
Adult
Female
Fibromyalgia - metabolism
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy - methods
Middle Aged
Mitochondria, Muscle - metabolism
Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods
Quadriceps Muscle - metabolism
Quadriceps Muscle - physiopathology
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Summary:Background and Methods Fibromyalgia (FMS) has a prevalence of approximately 2% in the population. Central alterations have been described in FMS, but there is not consensus with respect to the role of peripheral factors for the maintenance of FMS. 31P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) has been used to investigate the metabolism of phosphagens in muscles of FMS patients, but the results in the literature are not in consensus. The aim was to investigate the quantitative content of phosphagens and pH in resting quadriceps muscle of patients with FMS (n = 19) and in healthy controls (Controls; n = 14) using 31P‐MRS. It was also investigated whether the concentrations of these substances correlated with measures of pain and/or physical capacity. Results Significantly lower concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatinine (PCr; 28–29% lower) were found in FMS. No significant group differences existed with respect to inorganic phosphate (Pi), Pi/PCr and pH. The quadriceps muscle fat content was significantly higher in FMS than in Controls [FMS: 9.0 ± 0.5% vs. Controls: 6.6 ± 0.6%; (mean ± standard error); P = 0.005]. FMS had significantly lower hand and leg capacity according to specific physical test, but there were no group differences in body mass index, subjective activity level and in aerobic fitness. In FMS, the specific physical capacity in the leg and the hand correlated positively with the concentrations of ATP and PCr; no significant correlations were found with pain intensities. Conclusions Alterations in intramuscular ATP, PCr and fat content in FMS probably reflect a combination of inactivity related to pain and dysfunction of muscle mitochondria.
ISSN:1090-3801
1532-2149
DOI:10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00284.x