Oral Supplementation of Melatonin Protects against Fibromyalgia-Related Skeletal Muscle Alterations in Reserpine-Induced Myalgia Rats

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and an extensive array of other symptoms including disordered sleep, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Important factors involved in the pathogenic process of fibromyalgia are inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting that ant-inflammatory and/or antioxidant supplementation might be effective in the management and modulation of this syndrome. Recent evidence suggests that melatonin may be suitable for this purpose due to its well known ant-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic effects. Thus, in the current study, the effects of the oral supplementation of melatonin against fibromyalgia-related skeletal muscle alterations were evaluated. In detail, 90 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly treated with reserpine, to reproduce the pathogenic process of fibromyalgia and thereafter they received melatonin. The animals treated with reserpine showed moderate alterations at hind limb skeletal muscles level and had difficulty in moving, together with significant morphological and ultrastructural alterations and expression of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the gastrocnemius muscle. Interestingly, melatonin, dose and/or time dependently, reduced the difficulties in spontaneous motor activity and the musculoskeletal morphostructural, inflammatory, and oxidative stress alterations. This study suggests that melatonin in vivo may be an effective tool in the management of fibromyalgia-related musculoskeletal morphofunctional damage.

RETRACTED: Sirtuin1 Role in the Melatonin Protective Effects Against Obesity-Related Heart Injury

“…Two blinded investigators performed the analysis, and their evaluations were assumed correct if the values were not significantly different. If there was disagreement concerning the interpretation, the case was reconsidered in order to reach a unanimous agreement (Favero et al, 2017b;Bonomini et al, 2018).…”

Impact of Melatonin on Skeletal Muscle and Exercise

“…Fibromyalgia was induced by reserpine injection and melatonin administered in tap water, concurrent with reserpine, for one or two months. In rat gastrocnemius muscle, melatonin reduced oxidative changes and ameliorated mitochondria shape and cristae, improving voluntary motor activity [110]. More recently, we adopted the same model focusing on mitochondrial markers in rat gastrocnemius muscle.…”

Use of Complementary and Integrative Therapies by Fibromyalgia Patients: A 14-Year Follow-up Study

“…Melatonin has antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties and has an important role in the pathophysiology of pain; 38e40 therefore, it may be an effective tool in the management of FM-related musculoskeletal pain. 41,42 In reserpine-induced FM in rats, melatonin reduced oxidative stress, inflammatory musculoskeletal changes, and difficulties with motor activity. 41 The efficacy of melatonin in humans with FM has been documented in several clinical trials (reduced tender point count, severity of pain, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score; improved sleep quality), with a high level of confirmation 38,43e45 and limited adverse effects.…”

“…41,42 In reserpine-induced FM in rats, melatonin reduced oxidative stress, inflammatory musculoskeletal changes, and difficulties with motor activity. 41 The efficacy of melatonin in humans with FM has been documented in several clinical trials (reduced tender point count, severity of pain, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score; improved sleep quality), with a high level of confirmation 38,43e45 and limited adverse effects. 38 For fish oil, studies of nationally representative samples have revealed substantial use among middle-aged women.…”