ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum purine metabolite concentrations in patients affected by fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and the relationships between their levels and FM clinical parameters. DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum purine levels were quantified using LC/UV-vis in 22 fibromyalgic females (according to the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria) and 22 healthy females. RESULTS: Significantly higher serum inosine, hypoxanthine and xanthine levels (p<0.001) and significantly lower serum adenosine (p<0.05) were detected in the FMS patients vs healthy controls. Our data show a negative correlation between adenosine and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). CONCLUSIONS: Study results suggest that purines, in particular adenosine and inosine, may be involved in pain transmission in fibromyalgia.