The present study investigated how Pregabalin (PGB) affects proinflammatory cytokine release in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). It included 85 female participants (mean age: 49.6±10.1 years; range, 30 to 73 years), of which 30 were FMS patients using PGB 150 mg/day for at least three months, 30 were FMS patients not using PGB, 25 were healthy individuals. 

The study detected FMS considering the 2010 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria. It measured the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 

The study found a remarkable decrease in the serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in FMS patients using PGB and higher in patients with FMS not using PGB than in healthy subjects. The group of FMS patients not using PGB also described the highest values of proinflammatory cytokines. 

This study shows that PGB inhibits the release of proinflammatory cytokines, suggesting its role as an anti-inflammatory agent in inflammatory cases. 

Ellergezen P, Alp A, Çavun S, Çelebi M, Macunluoğlu AC. Pregabalin inhibits proinflammatory cytokine release in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Arch Rheumatol 2023;38(x):i-viii.