Redox reactions in chronic pain: mechanisms and relevance in fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is increasingly recognized as a disorder driven by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, contributing to pain sensitization and fatigue. This review explores the role of redox imbalance in FM and evaluates potential therapeutic interventions. A scoping...

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Main Authors: Tim Ho, Mark Ryan, Jonas Holle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Pain Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1593908/full
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author Tim Ho
Mark Ryan
Jonas Holle
author_facet Tim Ho
Mark Ryan
Jonas Holle
author_sort Tim Ho
collection DOAJ
description Fibromyalgia (FM) is increasingly recognized as a disorder driven by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, contributing to pain sensitization and fatigue. This review explores the role of redox imbalance in FM and evaluates potential therapeutic interventions. A scoping literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Findings indicate elevated oxidative stress markers (MDA, 4-HNE), impaired antioxidant defenses [CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10), SOD, catalase], and mitochondrial dysfunction in FM patients. Preclinical and small-scale clinical studies suggest potential benefits of NRF2 activation, high-dose thiamine, CoQ10, molecular hydrogen, and oxygen-ozone (O2O3) therapy. However, human trial evidence is limited, and standardized treatment protocols are lacking. Given the absence of robust RCTs, oxidative stress modulation in FM remains investigational. Future research should prioritize high-quality RCTs to establish the efficacy, safety, and clinical application of redox-targeted therapies.
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spelling doaj-art-effbfefefe3e476887b77b8e583a59a52025-08-20T02:15:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pain Research2673-561X2025-05-01610.3389/fpain.2025.15939081593908Redox reactions in chronic pain: mechanisms and relevance in fibromyalgiaTim Ho0Mark Ryan1Jonas Holle2Sydney Meical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaCingulum Health, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaCingulum Health, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaFibromyalgia (FM) is increasingly recognized as a disorder driven by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, contributing to pain sensitization and fatigue. This review explores the role of redox imbalance in FM and evaluates potential therapeutic interventions. A scoping literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Findings indicate elevated oxidative stress markers (MDA, 4-HNE), impaired antioxidant defenses [CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10), SOD, catalase], and mitochondrial dysfunction in FM patients. Preclinical and small-scale clinical studies suggest potential benefits of NRF2 activation, high-dose thiamine, CoQ10, molecular hydrogen, and oxygen-ozone (O2O3) therapy. However, human trial evidence is limited, and standardized treatment protocols are lacking. Given the absence of robust RCTs, oxidative stress modulation in FM remains investigational. Future research should prioritize high-quality RCTs to establish the efficacy, safety, and clinical application of redox-targeted therapies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1593908/fullfibromyalgiaoxidative stressmitochondrial dysfunctionredox imbalanceneuroinflammation
spellingShingle Tim Ho
Mark Ryan
Jonas Holle
Redox reactions in chronic pain: mechanisms and relevance in fibromyalgia
Frontiers in Pain Research
fibromyalgia
oxidative stress
mitochondrial dysfunction
redox imbalance
neuroinflammation
title Redox reactions in chronic pain: mechanisms and relevance in fibromyalgia
title_full Redox reactions in chronic pain: mechanisms and relevance in fibromyalgia
title_fullStr Redox reactions in chronic pain: mechanisms and relevance in fibromyalgia
title_full_unstemmed Redox reactions in chronic pain: mechanisms and relevance in fibromyalgia
title_short Redox reactions in chronic pain: mechanisms and relevance in fibromyalgia
title_sort redox reactions in chronic pain mechanisms and relevance in fibromyalgia
topic fibromyalgia
oxidative stress
mitochondrial dysfunction
redox imbalance
neuroinflammation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1593908/full
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AT markryan redoxreactionsinchronicpainmechanismsandrelevanceinfibromyalgia
AT jonasholle redoxreactionsinchronicpainmechanismsandrelevanceinfibromyalgia