title: Preliminary evidence of a blunted anti-inflammatory response to exhaustive exercise in fibromyalgia.
abstract: Exercise intolerance, as evidenced by a worsening of pain, fatigue, and stiffness after novel exertion, is a key feature of fibromyalgia (FM). In this pilot study, we investigate whether; insufficient muscle repair processes and impaired anti-inflammatory mechanisms result in an exaggerated pro-inflammatory cytokine response to exhaustive exercise, and consequently a worsening of muscle pain, stiffness and fatigue in the days post-exercise. We measured changes in muscle pain and tenderness, fatigue, stiffness, and serum levels of neuroendocrine and inflammatory cytokine markers in 20 women with FM and 16 healthy controls (HCs) before and after exhaustive treadmill exercise. Compared to HCs, FM participants failed to mount the expected anti-inflammatory response to exercise and experienced a worsening of symptoms post-exercise. However, changes in post-exertional symptoms were not mediated by post-exertional changes in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States. Electronic address: torgrims@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: Britta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Torgrimson-Ojerio
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Hope Tucson, Nueva Luz Center, Tucson, AZ 85716, United States. Electronic address: RebeccaRoss@hopetucson.org.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States. Electronic address: dieckman@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: Nathan F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Dieckmann
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Adventist Medical Center, Portland, OR 97216, United States. Electronic address: stephanieavery@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Avery
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States. Electronic address: bennetro@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States. Electronic address: joneskim@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: Kim D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston MA 02129, United States. Electronic address: ajguarino@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Guarino
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; School of Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA 02129, United States. Electronic address: ljwood@mghihp.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006728:Hormones
keywords: Cortisol; Cytokine; Exercise; Fatigue; Fibromyalgia; Stiffness