Rheumatol Int. 2008 Oct 14. [Epub ahead of print]

Sendur OF, Turan Y, Tastaban E, Yenisey C, Serter M.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Adnan Menderes 

University Medicine School Hospital, Aydin, Turkey.

PMID: 18853166

We proposed to assess antioxidant status and nitric oxide in 

fibromyalgia (FM) patients in comparison to healthy controls. 

Additionally, the association between the serum antioxidant levels 

and clinical findings in FM patients was also investigated.

Thirty-seven FM patients and 37 healthy controls were enrolled in 

this study. Severity of fatigue and pain were determined by Visual 

Analogue Scale. Functional capacity in daily living activities was 

evaluated by fibromyalgia impact questionnaire. Serum NO, catalase 

and glutathione were measured.

Serum glutathione and catalase levels were significantly lower in FM 

patients than controls. However, no significant difference was seen 

in serum NO levels between the two groups. A significant correlation 

was evident between serum NO level and pain. Additionally, the 

correlation between glutathione level and morning stiffness was found 

to be significant.

These findings support other studies, we assume that these two 

antioxidants might have impact on the pathogenesis of FM disease.