Metabolomics and psychological features in fibromyalgia and electromagnetic sensitivity

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) as Fibromyalgia and Electromagnetic Sensitivity (IEI-EMF) are a chronic and systemic syndrome. The main symptom is represented by strong and widespread pain in the musculoskeletal system. The exact causes that lead to the development of FM and IEI-EMF are still unknown. Interestingly, the proximity to electrical and electromagnetic devices seems to trigger and/or amplify the symptoms. We investigated the blood plasma metabolome in IEI-EMF and healthy subjects using 1H NMR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate statistical analysis. All the individuals were subjected to tests for the evaluation of psychological and physical features. No significant differences between IEI-EMF and controls relative to personality aspects, Locus of Control, and anxiety were found. Multivariate statistical analysis on the metabolites identified by NMR analysis allowed the identification of a distinct metabolic profile between IEI-EMF and healthy subjects. IEI-EMF were characterized by higher levels of glycine and pyroglutamate, and lower levels of 2-hydroxyisocaproate, choline, glutamine, and isoleucine compared to healthy subjects. These metabolites are involved in several metabolic pathways mainly related to oxidative stress defense, pain mechanisms, and muscle metabolism. The results here obtained highlight possible physiopathological mechanisms in IEI-EMF patients to be better defined.

Metabolomics and Microbiomics: New Potential Strategies in Chronic Pain Syndrome

“… 24 , 25 In addition, in our last experiment conducted on plasma samples collected from fibromyalgia patients, we identified the molecule choline, which was also identified in our first experiment conducted in patients affected by nociceptive or neuropathic pain. 26 , 27 Considering all these results together, it seems that the choline-PAF pathway is highly involved in the activation and propagation of pain, and in our opinion, deserves a more in-depth study. A simplified schematic representation of this hypothesis is indicated in Figure 1 .…”

Metabolomics analysis of plasma samples of patients with fibromyalgia and electromagnetic sensitivity using GC–MS technique

“…In addition to the tests previously administered to IEI-EMF patients 8 , the PAI test allowed to evaluate further clinical and psychological characteristics such as: anxiety, depression, related anxiety disorders (like obsessive–compulsive disorders (OCD), phobias, etc.) and emotional instability.…”

“…In this study the plasma metabolic profile of IEI-EMF patients and healthy subjects have been compared by means of GC–MS analysis using a metabolomics approach. This population has been previously characterized for their metabolic profile by 1 H-NMR followed by multivariate statistical analysis 8 . Results obtained showed that IEI-EMF patients presented higher plasma levels of glycine and pyroglutamate, and lower levels of 2-hydroxyisocaproate, choline, glutamine, and isoleucine compared to controls.…”

“…This could lead to an increased interest in the scientific community for the discovery of specific biomarkers. To better understand the pathogenesis of FM and EHS and to identify disease-specific biomarkers, we recently have compared the metabolomic profile between patients with FM and Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic field (IEI-EMF) 8 and healthy subject (controls) by using 1 H-NMR spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analysis. Self-reported IEI-EMF patients are subjects characterized by the amplification of fibromyalgia symptomatology in association with the proximity of EMF source exposure 9 .…”

“…Data obtained have shown a different plasma metabolomics profile between IEI-EMF and control subjects with the first being characterized by higher levels of metabolites mainly involved in oxidative stress defense, pain development and muscle metabolism. To better define and characterize the physiopathological mechanisms associated to the IEI-EMF, in the present study we have compared the plasma metabolomics profile of same IEI-EMF patients and control subjects studied by Piras et al 8 by using the mass spectrometry gas chromatography (GC–MS) analysis. GC–MS is a highly sensitivity technique that allows detection of many metabolites in complex biological samples.…”