Single Cell Morphology and High-Energy Phosphate Levels in Quadriceps Muscles from Patients with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether previous findings of changes in single cell morphology and ATP-levels in fibromyalgia muscles could be reproduced. Methods: Muscle fiber bundles of 2-5 cells from needle biopsies taken from the castus lateralis of 20 fibromyalgia patients and 20 matched controls were scored according to waviness and constrictions. ATP and ADP was determined using HPLC. Results: The median score for waviness was 0.78 in controls and 0.50 in fibromyalgia patients [NS]. The constriction score was 0.43 and 0.45 respectively [NS]. The ATP content did not differ either, with a median of 22.0 mmol/kg dry weight in the control group compared to 21.4 mmol/kg in the patient group. Conclusions: No differences in single cell morphology or ATP-levels could be observed between two groups studied.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia
• muscle morphology
• ATP