Mirnas as Biomarkers of Musculoskeletal Pain in Long-Distance Runners: The Mimus Study Protocol

Abstract

miRNAs are involved in the generation and progression of musculoskeletal pain, a condition that causes significant clinical, economic and social burden. In runners, the presence of musculoskeletal pain related to an inflammatory state or ongoing underlying tissue damage may result in poor training ability and performance. This study aims to evaluate the association between circulating and salivary miRNAs and pain in runners with and without musculoskeletal pain and to observe whether dysregulated miRNAs can distinguish between responders and nonresponders to a kinesiological intervention. The possible correlation between these miRNAs and inflammatory molecules, stress parameters and individual or behavioral characteristics will be evaluated. Finally, in silico analysis will be used to characterize miRNAs function. Ethics approval was obtained.

Keywords::

• biomarker
• inflammation
• microRNA
• musculoskeletal pain
• runners

MR Tumolo and S Sabina were responsible for study conception; all the authors were responsible for study design; MR Tumolo, T Grassi and S Sabina were responsible for drafting the manuscript. All authors reviewed it critically, read and accepted the published version of the article and agreed to be responsible for all aspects of the work.

Acknowledgments

Our work has been complemented by the technical contribution of Roberto Guarino and Gennaro Cagnazzo (Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Branch of Lecce).

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained institutional review board approval from Ethical Committee of the Lecce Local Health Authority (ASL/LE) on 2 February 2023 (deliberation no. 0000108) for the research described. In addition, informed consent will be obtained from the participants involved.