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Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors on platelets of fibromyalgic patients

L Bazzichi1, G Giannaccini, L Betti

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, U.O of Rheumatology, University of Pisa, Italy.

Clinical Biochemistry
|August 22, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fibromyalgia patients show increased peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) binding sites in platelets. This increase in PBR is linked to the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms like pain and tiredness.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder with complex pathophysiology.
  • Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) are involved in neuroinflammation and cellular stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate alterations in PBR characteristics in platelet membranes of patients with primary fibromyalgia.
  • To determine if PBR changes correlate with symptom severity in FM.

Main Methods:

  • Platelets were isolated from 30 FM patients and 16 healthy controls.
  • PBR kinetic parameters were assessed using [(3)H] PK11195 radioligand binding assays.

Main Results:

  • A significant increase in PBR binding sites (Bmax) was observed in FM patients compared to controls (p<0.01).
  • No significant difference in PBR affinity (Kd) was found between groups (p>0.05).
  • PBR Bmax positively correlated with symptom severity scores for pain and tiredness.

Conclusions:

  • Platelet PBR is up-regulated in patients with fibromyalgia.
  • The observed up-regulation of PBR in platelets may be associated with the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms.

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