Plasma cytokine levels in migraineurs and controls.
BACKGROUND
The vasoactive peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is released from primary afferent neurons in the trigemino-vascular circulation during migraine headache. CGRP at physiological concentrations and possibly via stimulation of its selective receptors on T-cells, triggers the secretion of cytokines. Cytokines play an important role in several physiological and pathological settings such as immunology, inflammation, and pain.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in migraineurs and healthy controls.


METHODS
We studied 25 migraine patients, during and outside attacks, and 18 healthy control subjects measuring plasma levels of IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), IL-4, IL-1 beta, and IL-2 using ELISA.


RESULTS
Circulating levels of IL-10, TNFalpha, and IL-1 beta during attacks were significantly higher in comparison to their levels outside attacks (P=.0003, P=.03, and P=.05, respectively). IL-10 and TNF serum levels were higher in patients studied soon after headache onset and lower over time (P=.004 and P=.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that TNFalpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-10 may be involved in the pathogenesis of migraine attacks.
The Centri Cefalee e Malattie Cerebrovascolri, Ospedale S. Bortolo Ulss 6 Vicenza, Italy.
Francesco
F
Perini
Giovanni
G
D'Andrea
Elisabetta
E
Galloni
Francesco
F
Pignatelli
Giuseppe
G
Billo
Sabrina
S
Alba
Gennaro
G
Bussone
Vito
V
Toso
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D007378:Interleukins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha