[Note: ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate, which is described as the energy currency of life. Mitochondria are the energy producers in each cell and they supply this energy in the form of ATP. PCr stands for phosphocreatinine, an organic compound found in muscle tissue that stores and provides energy for muscular contraction.]
Article:
Decreased muscle concentrations of ATP and PCR in the quadriceps muscle of fibromyalgia patients - A (31) P-MRS study.
– Source: European Journal of Pain, January 30, 2013
by G. Gerdle, et al.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Fibromyalgia (FMS) has a prevalence of approximately 2% in the population. Central alterations have been described in FMS, but there is not consensus with respect to the role of peripheral factors for the maintenance of FMS.
( 31) P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ((31) P-MRS) has been used to investigate the metabolism of phosphagens in muscles of FMS patients, but the results in the literature are not in consensus. The aim was to investigate the quantitative content of phosphagens and pH in resting quadriceps muscle of patients with FMS (n = 19) and in healthy controls (Controls; n = 14) using (31) P-MRS. It was also investigated whether the concentrations of these substances correlated with measures of pain and/or physical capacity.
RESULTS:
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Significantly lower concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatinine (PCr; 28-29% lower) were found in FMS.
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No significant group differences existed with respect to inorganic phosphate (Pi), Pi/PCr and pH.
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The quadriceps muscle fat content was significantly higher in FMS than in Controls [FMS: 9.0 ± 0.5% vs. Controls: 6.6 ± 0.6%; (mean ± standard error); P = 0.005].
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FMS had significantly lower hand and leg capacity according to specific physical test, but there were no group differences in body mass index, subjective activity level and in aerobic fitness.
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In FMS, the specific physical capacity in the leg and the hand correlated positively with the concentrations of ATP and PCr; no significant correlations were found with pain intensities.
CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in intramuscular ATP, PCr and fat content in FMS probably reflect a combination of inactivity related to pain and dysfunction of muscle mitochondria.
Source: European Journal of Pain, January 30, 2013. B. Gerdle, M.F. Forsgren, A. Bengtsson, O.D. Leinhard, B. Soren, A. Karlsson, V. Brandejsky, E. Lund, P. Lundberg. Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences (IMH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden; Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, UHL, Linköping, Sweden.
