Pioglitazone improves skeletal muscle functions in reserpine-induced fibromyalgia rat model

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep and memory disturbance. There is no definitive cure yet for FM-related health problems. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor's (PPAR's) activation is associated with insulin sensitisation and improved glucose metabolism. PPAR-gamma was reported to alleviate FM allodynia. Limited data are discussing its effect on motor disorders. Objective: To investigate the potential effect of PPAR-gamma agonists (pioglitazone, as one member of thiazolidinediones (TZD)) on motor dysfunction in reserpine-induced FM in a rat model. Materials and methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into negative control (n = 9) and reserpine-induced FM (n = 27) groups. The latter was subdivided into three equal subgroups (n = 9), positive control (untreated FM model), pioglitazone-treated and GW9662-treated. We evaluated muscle functions and activity of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and serum levels of interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Results: Pioglitazone significantly relieved fatigue, improved muscle performance, reduced inflammatory cytokines and enhanced antioxidant's activity, while GW9662, a known PPAR-gamma antagonist, aggravated the FM manifestations in the rat model. Conclusion PPAR-gamma agonists show a promising role against FM-associated motor dysfunctions.

Automated summary

The study found that PPAR-gamma agonist pioglitazone can alleviate fatigue, improve muscle performance, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and enhance antioxidant activity in a rat model of fibromyalgia. Conversely, the PPAR-gamma antagonist GW9662 worsened the symptoms, indicating a promising role of PPAR-gamma agonists against fibromyalgia-related motor dysfunctions.