Fibromyalgia & Mitochondria

The pathogenesis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), characterized by chronic widespread pain and fatigue, remains notoriously elusive, hampering attempts to develop disease modifying treatments. Mitochondria malfunction has been proposed to contribute to both FMS and chronic fatigue.

Thus, the aim of the current pilot study, was to detect structural changes in mitochondria of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of FMS patients, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We describe novel morphological changes in mitochondria of FMS patients, including loss of mitochondrial crista. While these observations cannot determine whether the changes are pathogenetic or represent an epiphenomenon, they highlight the possibility that mitochondrial malfunction may play a causative role in the cascade of events leading to chronic pain and fatigue in FMS. Moreover, the results offer the possibility of utilizing changes in mitochondrial morphology as an objective biomarker in FMS. Further understanding the connection between FMS and disorders in mitochondria physiology, may assist in developing both novel diagnostic tools as well as specific treatments for FMS, such as approaches to improve/strengthen mitochondria function. 

Israel, L…Gross, A. Clin. Exp. Rheumatol. In press, 2024