Thanks for the impulse, Lmd! I’ve now looked at PubMed-studies to see if I can validate it. Turns out that saying it is on a “cellular” level is probably just that it’s not sure yet, praps because of the possible role of mast cells.
#1 2018 thinks inflammation is more neurogenic:
There is increasing evidence of neurogenically derived inflammatory mechanisms occurring in the peripheral tissues, spinal cord and brain in fibromyalgia. These involve a variety of neuropeptides, chemokines and cytokines with activation of both the innate and adaptive immune systems.
#2 from 2019 thinks that it’s partly mast cells increasing neuroinflammation
Mast Cells, Neuroinflammation and Pain in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: We hypothesize that thalamic mast cells contribute to inflammation and pain, by releasing neuro-sensitizing molecules that include histamine, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF, as well as calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP), HK-1 and SP.
#3 from 2020 says inflammatory cytokines and MC products play a role in FM
Impact of mast cells in fibromyalgia and low-grade chronic inflammation: Can IL-37 play a role?
The goal of this article is to demonstrate that inflammatory cytokines and MC products play a role in FM and that inflammation may be inhibited by IL-37.
#4 from 2017 thinks it’s systemic inflammation as well as neuroinflammation
Evidence of both systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation in fibromyalgia patients, as assessed by a multiplex protein panel applied to the cerebrospinal fluid and to plasma
#6 from 2019 is a study which looks at recent other studes about inflammation
Role of inflammation in the pathogenesis and treatment of fibromyalgia
"Recent evidence on this highly studied topic indicates that fibromyalgia has an immunological background. Cytokines/chemokines, lipid mediators, oxidative stress and several plasma-derived factors underlie the inflammatory state in fibromyalgia. There are potential new therapeutic options targeting inflammatory pathways in fibromyalgia patients. In conclusion, there is evidence to support the inflammation-driven pathways in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia. However, further research is required to fully understand the network of inflammation and its possible role in diagnosis and/or treatment of fibromyalgia. "
What I love about the abstract of study #1 is the first sentence:
“Fibromyalgia is a high impact chronic pain disorder with a well-defined and robust clinical phenotype.” - in case anyone still says it is a rubbish bin diagnosis. NO, it isn’t, it is “well-defined”!
Interesting is that proteins that in several studies, proteins called cytokines and chemokines are mentioned, which gives the claim of EpicGenetics to be able to diagnose FMS with a blood test a little bit of a basis. Just that this is not at all definite yet. We talked about this last here: