title: Has catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype (Val158Met) an influence on endocrine, sympathetic nervous and humoral immune systems in women with fibromyalgia syndrome?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stress can play an important role in etiology of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and altering the immune system. The current study examined the influence of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met genotypes on salivary markers of HPA axis (cortisol), SNS (α-amylase), and immune (IgA) systems in women with FMS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-six women with FMS diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria participated in the study. Salivary cortisol, α-amylase activity, salivary flow rate, and IgA concentration were collected from nonstimulated saliva. A numerical pain rate scale (0 to 10) was used to assess the intensity of pain, whereas functional ability was determined using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). After amplifying Val158Met polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction, 3 COMT genotypes were considered: Val/Val, Val/Met, and Met/Met.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with FMS with the Met/Met genotype reported higher α-amylase activity, lower salivary flow rate, and lower IgA concentration than those women with FMS carrying the Val/Met (P<0.05) or Val/Val (P<0.01) genotypes. No difference in cortisol concentration (P>0.70) was found. These results were not associated with the intensity of pain, disability, and medication intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that women with FMS with the Met/Met genotype exhibit greater disturbed activity of the SNS and humoral immune system. These results provide initial evidence of a link between Val158Met polymorphism and dysfunctions in the SNS and humoral immune system in women with FMS.
authors: *Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine †Esthesiology Laboratory ‡Department of Psychology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón §Department of Nursing, Health Sciences Faculty ∥Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy ¶Department of Physical Therapy, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors: César
authors: C
authors: Fernández-de-las-Peñas
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Peñacoba-Puente
authors: Margarita
authors: M
authors: Cigarán-Méndez
authors: Lourdes
authors: L
authors: Díaz-Rodríguez
authors: Belén
authors: B
authors: Rubio-Ruiz
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Arroyo-Morales
mesh_terms: D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone