Altered amino acid homeostasis in subjects affected by fibromyalgia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations in patients affected by fibromyalgia (FM) and to study the relationships between their levels and FM clinical parameters.


METHODS
20 AAs were assessed in 34 FM patients and in 18 healthy volunteers by means of a modified version of the Waters picotag method.


RESULTS
Significant lower plasma taurine, alanine, tyrosine (Tyr), valine, methionine, phenylalanine and threonine concentrations, and the sum of essential AAs were observed in FM patients vs healthy controls (P<0.05). Tyr CAA' ratio and the sum of AAs competing with tryptophan for brain uptake were significantly reduced in FM (P<0.05). A significant correlation was found between FM clinical parameters and certain AAs.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest probable defects of gut malabsorption of certain AAs in FM patients. Moreover, given the reduced Tyr CAA' ratio in FM patients, a possible impairment of the cathecolaminergic system in the FM syndrome may be suggested.
Bazzichi
Laura
L
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy. l.bazzichi@int.med.unipi.it
Palego
Lionella
L
Giannaccini
Gino
G
Rossi
Alessandra
A
De Feo
Francesca
F
Giacomelli
Camillo
C
Betti
Laura
L
Giusti
Laura
L
Mascia
Giovanni
G
Bombardieri
Stefano
S
Lucacchini
Antonio
A
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000097:blood; D000601:Amino Acids, Essential / Q000097:blood; D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur / Q000097:blood; D001692:Biological Transport; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012890:Sleep
D000596:Amino Acids; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D000601:Amino Acids, Essential; D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur