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Lipidomic Profiling Identifies Serum Lipids Associated with Persistent Multisite Musculoskeletal Pain
Canchen Ma1, Ming Liu2, Jing Tian1
1Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 23, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia.
Metabolites
|March 24, 2022
Summary
This study identified novel lipid signatures, specifically lower levels of monohexosylceramides (HexCer) and lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC), associated with persistent multisite musculoskeletal pain (MSMP). These findings suggest a role for lipid metabolism in the development of chronic pain conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Metabolomics
- Pain Research
Background:
- Lipid mediators are implicated in pain sensitivity.
- Longitudinal data on lipid metabolites and persistent multisite musculoskeletal pain (MSMP) are limited.
- Understanding lipid profiles may offer insights into chronic pain mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify lipid metabolic markers associated with persistent MSMP.
- To investigate the relationship between specific lipid species and the presence of chronic widespread pain.
- To explore lipid metabolism's role in the pathogenesis of persistent MSMP.
Main Methods:
- Lipidomic profiling of 807 lipid species in serum samples from 536 participants.
- MSMP defined as ≥4 painful sites, with persistence confirmed across all study visits.
- Logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders, with Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple testing.
Main Results:
- Persistent MSMP was significantly associated with lower levels of specific monohexosylceramides (HexCer) and lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC).
- Adjusted analyses revealed HexCer(d18:1/22:0 and d18:1/24:0) and LPC(15-MHDA [sn1] [104_sn1]) were negatively associated with persistent MSMP.
- Two lipid classes, HexCer and LPC, showed a significant negative association with persistent MSMP (ORs 0.22 and 0.27, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Identified three novel lipid signatures linked to persistent MSMP.
- Suggests that lipid metabolism plays a role in the pathogenesis of persistent pain.
- Highlights potential for lipid-based biomarkers in chronic musculoskeletal pain.
