Acylated ghrelin: a potential marker for fibromyalgia?

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pain Medicine
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition often accompanied by sleep disturbances.
• Overweight and obesity are prevalent comorbidities in fibromyalgia patients, impacting metabolic changes.
• The interplay between metabolic factors, particularly neuropeptides, and fibromyalgia symptoms requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare plasma levels of leptin and acylated ghrelin in women with fibromyalgia versus healthy controls.
• To investigate the association between leptin, acylated ghrelin, and pain and sleep characteristics in fibromyalgia patients.

Main Methods:

• Plasma leptin and acylated ghrelin levels were measured in 17 women with fibromyalgia and 16 healthy controls.
• Pain intensity was assessed using visual analogue scales (weekly general and mean pain scores).
• Sleep quality was evaluated using accelerometry.

Main Results:

• Fibromyalgia patients exhibited significantly higher leptin levels and lower acylated ghrelin levels compared to controls.
• Acylated ghrelin levels showed a significant inverse correlation with both weekly general and mean pain scores.
• Acylated ghrelin levels explained 35% of the variability in general pain and 29% in mean pain.

Conclusions:

• Decreased acylated ghrelin levels in women with fibromyalgia are associated with higher pain intensity.
• These findings suggest a potential role for acylated ghrelin in the pain experience of fibromyalgia.