Fascial preadipocytes: another missing piece of the puzzle to understand fibromyalgia?

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome is a chronic condition causing pain, affecting approximately 0.5%–6% of the developed countries’ population, and on average, 2% of the worldwide population. Despite the large amount of scientific literature available, the FM etiology is still uncertain. The diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation and the severity of the symptomatology. Several studies pointed out pathological alterations within the central nervous system, suggesting that FM could originate from a central sensitization of the pain processing centers. Research supports the thesis of a peripheral neuropathic component, with the finding of axonal damages. The fibromyalgia patient has many myofascial system abnormalities, such as pain and fatigue, impairing the symptomatic profile. This paper revises the myopathic compensations, highlighting the possible role of the fascia in generating symptoms, being aware of the new information about the fascia’s activity in stimulating inflammation and fat cell production.

Comparative Analysis of Ventilatory Responses during Stress Tests in Patients with Chronic Pain: Implications for Therapeutic Interventions

“…Additionally, the literature has reported differences in the mitochondrial function and oxidative capacity of muscle cells, which could have contributed to the observed anaerobic endurance differences [ 35 , 36 ]. Fibromyalgia patients might have enhanced mitochondrial efficiency, allowing for prolonged aerobic energy production before transitioning to anaerobic metabolism [ 33 , 37 ]. The anaerobic differences observed in this experiment could also be related to pain perception and tolerance, which are remarkable characteristics of FM.…”

Fascial Nomenclature: Update 2024

“…Depending on the tension present, adipose tissue is involved in the production of different tissues; if the mechanical tension felt is congruent with the function of the surrounding tissue, the fat (stem cells) will help the repair and synthesis of the same tissue. In case of an altered perception of the mechanical tension of the surrounding tissues, stem cells derived from adipose tissue could create a non-physiological mechanometabolic environment and lead to dysfunction and disease [ 40 ]. A recent study by Hatt and colleagues highlighted that adipose tissue has viscoelastic properties and contributes to the distribution of mechanical loads (in an experimental model); this concept is fundamental to creating biomechanical models that are more congruent with the living being [ 41 ].…”

A Review of the Theoretical Fascial Models: Biotensegrity, Fascintegrity, and Myofascial Chains

“…From these concepts, the need arises to frame the fascial system in a model that can represent the living and understand, prevent and possibly cure the dysfunctions that can result from the fascia. To give some examples, there is evidence that eccentric post-contraction muscle pain is mainly attributable to the muscular fascial system; a dysfunctional fascial system could be one of the causes that determine the symptoms of fibromyalgia [14][15]. The discovery of the contraction of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts (1968,1972) has directed the attention of research towards the fascial tissue, to explode with a large number of publications from the end of the twentieth century [16][17].…”