Beta-endorphin concentrations in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of migraine and tension-type headache patients.
Levels of beta-endorphin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells have been studied as a new approach to investigating opioid tone in migraine and tension-type headache. Sixty-one patients with migraine without aura, 39 with migraine with aura and 23 with episodic tension-type headache were compared with 37 healthy controls. Peripheral blood samples were taken from patients not enduring headache attacks and not undergoing prophylactic treatment. A significant reduction in peripheral blood mononuclear cell beta-endorphin concentrations was observed in migraine patients with and without aura, but not in tension-type headache patients. Altered transmitter modulation to peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be the cause of this alteration, which could be part of a more diffuse opioid system derangement in migraine subjects.
Leone
M
M
Headache Center, Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
Sacerdote
P
P
D'Amico
D
D
Panerai
A E
AE
Bussone
G
G
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D001615:beta-Endorphin