Migraine, Helicobacter pylori, and oxidative stress.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to ascertain whether oxidative stress is a causative factor of migraine attacks for Helicobacter pylori-infected migraineurs.


METHODS
A total of 35 consecutive migraine patients without aura who came to gastroenterology polyclinic with various complaints and diagnosed H. pylori infection were included in the study group and compared with a group of 29 patients (control group) without migraine and H. infection. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by histopathological biopsies, which were taken by endoscopy (Olympus-GIFXQ240 endoscope). Both the diagnosis and the classification of migraine were made according to the International Headache Society criteria. Blood samples for nitric oxide were taken from patients with migraine during headache-free period as well as the control group. The interaction of nitric oxide was measured by the determination of both nitrite and nitrate concentrations in the sample.


RESULTS
The study group included 31 women and 4 men (mean age 49 +/- 8 years) and the control group included 25 women and 4 men (mean age 52.6 +/- 11 years). The mean frequency of migraine attacks was 2.94 +/- 1.58 days/month and the mean duration of attacks was 21.2 +/- 3 hours. It was found that the study group has lower nitrate levels than the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results do not support the role of oxidative stress in patients suffering from H. pylori infection and migraine.
Tunca
Ayşe
A
Department of Neurology, Private Zafer Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. etunca@e-kolay.net
Ardiçoğlu
Yasemin
Y
Kargili
Ayşe
A
Adam
Bahattin
B
D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide