title: ATP, calcium and magnesium levels in platelets of patients with primary fibromyalgia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the intracellular levels of the high energy adenosine triphosphate nucleotide ATP and essential divalent cations, calcium and magnesium, in platelets of patients affected by primary fibromyalgia syndrome (FMs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Platelet ATP and cation concentrations were measured in 25 patients affected by FMs and 25 healthy volunteers through a chemiluminescent and a fluorimetric assay, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant lower ATP levels were observed inside platelets of FM patients (fmol ATP/plt: 0.0169+/-0.0012 vs. healthy controls, fmol ATP/plt: 0.0306+/-0.0023, mean+/-SEM) (*** P<0.0001). A trend towards higher calcium concentrations (P=0.06) together with significant increased magnesium levels were also reported in platelets of patients by comparison with controls (P=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study suggests that disturbances in the homeostasis of platelet ATP metabolism-signaling and calcium-magnesium flows might have a relevance in the pathogenesis of FMs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bazzichi
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannaccini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Betti
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fabbrini
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Lionella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palego
authors.forename: Camillo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giacomelli
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giusti
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Feo
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Giuliano
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mascia
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bombardieri
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucacchini
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium