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Low plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency-related fibromyalgia

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Abstract

Abnormalities in blood inflammatory markers have been associated with clinical manifestations and the pathogenesis of the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS); a relationship between inherited alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) and FMS has also been recently raised. In this study, plasma levels of inflammatory markers in FMS patients with and without AATD have been investigated. Blood samples from 138 age-matched females (79 FMS) and 59 general population (GP), with normal MM [n = 82 (59.4%)] and with MS, MZ, SZ, and ZZ AATD genotypes [n = 56 (40.6%)], were analyzed by ELISA for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), soluble TNFα receptors I and II, interleukin-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Plasma levels of MCP-1, VEGF, and TNFα were significantly lower in FMS and GP subjects with AATD compared with those with normal MM-AAT genotypes. Moreover, plasma levels of MCP-1, VEGF, and TNFα were lower in AATD subjects with FMS than in those without FMS (P = 0.000, 0.000, and 0.046, respectively). No statistical differences were found for the other substances measured. Furthermore, a logistic regression model based on plasma MCP-1 cutoff value of ≤130 pg/ml allowed us to discriminate between FMS and GP subjects with a sensitivity of about 93% and a specificity of 79%. Low plasma levels of MCP-1, VEGF, and TNFα are related to AATD, although more markedly in FMS patients. Thus, hypotheses considering FMS as an inflammatory condition related to high plasma levels of inflammatory biomarkers cannot be supported.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the expert editorial assistance of Ms. Jimena Blanco Fueyo (MA University of Geneva, CH). The authors are also indebted to Ms. Sue Edelstein from the NIEHS Arts and Photography for displaying figures to summarize the laboratory findings.

Grant supporters

This study has been endorsed by the Spanish National Health Institute Carlos III, the Biohealth Research Office [OIB] of the Principado de Asturias, Spain (IB and VC), and by the Crafoords and Lundström Foundations (SJ).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Valle del Nalón Hospital, 33920, Riaño-Langreo, Principado de Asturias, Spain

    Ignacio Blanco, Victoriano Cárcaba & César Gallo

  2. Department of Clinical Sciences, Wallenberg Laboratory, Malmö University Hospital, 20502, Malmö, Sweden

    Sabina Janciauskiene & Izabela Nita

  3. Biostatistics Unit, Central University Hospital of Asturias, 33006, Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Spain

    Enrique Fernández-Bustillo

  4. Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery, Valle del Nalón Hospital, 33920, Riaño-Langreo, Principado de Asturias, Spain

    Marlene Álvarez-Rico

  5. Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction, Environmental Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2233, USA

    Frederick de Serres

  6. Department of Pathology, Cabueñes Hospital, 33394, Gijón, Principado de Asturias, Spain

    Nana Béridze

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  1. Ignacio Blanco
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Correspondence to Ignacio Blanco.

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Blanco, I., Janciauskiene, S., Nita, I. et al. Low plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency-related fibromyalgia. Clin Rheumatol 29, 189–197 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1318-5

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