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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
07:49
Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice
Published on: June 2, 2022
The microbiota-gut-brain axis in fibromyalgia: a scoping review
Giustino Varrassi1, Kakhaber Chelidze2, Y Van Tran3
1Visionary International Board for Research and Analgesia (VIBRA), Fondazione Paolo Procacci, Rome, Italy; and College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Iraq.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|June 22, 2026
Summary
Fibromyalgia (FM) is linked to the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). Research shows gut bacteria changes, metabolic issues, and neuroinflammation in FM patients, impacting pain and fatigue.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex pain disorder with widespread symptoms.
- The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) is increasingly implicated in FM pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map current evidence (2020-2026) on MGBA alterations in FM.
- To examine microbial, metabolic, and neuroimmune dimensions of the MGBA in FM.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review following established frameworks (Arksey & O'Malley, Levac et al., JBI).
- Systematic literature search (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus) from Jan 2020 to Mar 2026.
- Inclusion of clinical, translational, and preclinical studies on FM and MGBA.
Main Results:
- 39 studies synthesized, revealing heterogeneous findings.
- Commonly observed: altered gut microbiota (reduced diversity, depleted butyrate producers), metabolic dysregulation (SCFA, tryptophan), increased intestinal permeability, and neuroinflammation.
- Microbiota alterations correlate with FM symptoms like pain, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- The MGBA provides a plausible framework for understanding FM mechanisms.
- Evidence is largely associative; heterogeneity exists.
- Future research needs longitudinal, mechanistic studies for microbiome-informed strategies.
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