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Reduced Serum Maresin-1 in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Compared With Healthy Controls: A Cross-Sectional
Türkan Tuncer1, Nevsun Pıhtılı Taş1, Muhammet Şahin Elbastı1
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital, Elazığ, Türkiye.
Archives of Rheumatology
|July 21, 2026
Summary
Serum maresin-1 (MaR-1) is lower in rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia patients compared to healthy individuals. Reduced MaR-1 levels correlate with increased pain and disease activity, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for chronic inflammatory pain.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Maresin-1 (MaR-1) is a specialized pro-resolving mediator involved in inflammation and pain signaling.
- Understanding MaR-1 levels in chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia (FM) is crucial for identifying potential biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum MaR-1 levels between patients with RA, FM, and healthy controls.
- To investigate the association between serum MaR-1 levels and disease activity and pain measures in RA and FM.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 30 RA patients, 30 FM patients, and 29 healthy controls.
- Serum MaR-1 was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Clinical assessments included pain (VAS), disease activity scores (DAS28-CRP), and questionnaires for neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia impact, depression, and anxiety.
Main Results:
- Serum MaR-1 levels were significantly lower in both RA and FM patient groups compared to healthy controls (P < .001).
- In RA patients, MaR-1 inversely correlated with pain (VAS) and disease activity (DAS28).
- In FM patients, MaR-1 inversely correlated with pain (VAS).
- High discriminative ability was observed for MaR-1 in distinguishing between RA/FM patients and controls (AUC > 0.93).
Conclusions:
- Serum MaR-1 is reduced in rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia and correlates with disease severity and pain.
- These findings support the potential of serum MaR-1 as a biomarker for chronic inflammatory pain biology.
- Further longitudinal studies are recommended to confirm clinical utility.