Reactive Oxygen Species, Antioxidant Status and Fibromyalgia

Objectives: Several biological findings reported in fibromyalgia [FMS], support a “free radicals hypothesis” justifying appropriate investigations in this condition.Methods: Plasma or erythrocytes malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls [PC], nitric oxide [NO] as well as antioxidant parameters such as vitamin A, vitamin E, thiols, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase, were assessed in 28 FMS patients [mean age 40 years] and 20 age-matched controls.Results: Protein carbonyls [P < 0.01] were significantly increased. Thiols [P < 0.01], were significantly decreased and correlated with PC [R = − 0.44, P < 0.05]. Nitric oxide [P < 0.01] was significantly decreased.Conclusions: Increased protein peroxidation, associated with thiol abnormalities and decreased plasma NO levels are demonstrated in FMS.