The Role of Vitamins A, C and E with Zinc and Copper Elements in the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia is one of the rheumatological disorder syndromes. It is characterized by generalized musculo-skeletal pain, fatigue with nervous system involvement such as memory disturbance, difficulty in concentration and depression. However, its etiology and pathogenesis is still obscured. Besides, its diagnosis has been done according to its clinical feature and by exclusion of other systemic diseases. Some studies found that serum level of vitamins like A, C and E, besides, Zinc and Copper elements would be altered during the affection by this disorder.Aim of study: to demonstrate the role of vitamins A, C and E together with Zinc and Copper in the etiology and pathogenesis of fibromyalgia syndrome. Subjects and methods: this study included forty patients (male and female) with fibromyalgia syndrome. In addition, nineteen healthy individuals were involved in this study. In both groups, vitamins A, C and E serum level were examined.Besides zinc and copper levels also were measured in the serum of the subjects of both groups involved in this study.Results: the results showed obvious reduction in the level of vitamins A and E with minimal decreament in the level of vitamin C in the serum of fibromyalgia patients. In the contrary, the Copper serum level revealed significant increase in the fibromyalgia patients while Zinc level in the serum of both groups remained almost unaltered.Conclusion: the serum levels of vitamins A, C and E, in addition to the Copper and Zinc could play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of fibromyalgia syndrome.Besides, it could be helpful in the laboratory investigation for the diagnosis of this disorder. Keywords: fibromyalgia, vitamin A, C and E, Copper and Zinc