Different circulating metalloproteinases profiles in women with migraine with and without aura.
BACKGROUND
We compared the circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, and MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios in migraine patients without aura (MWA) and in migraine patients with aura (MA) with those found in healthy subjects (controls).


METHODS
We studied 80 migraine (40 MWA and 40 MA) women and 40 controls. Pro-MMP-2 levels were determined by zymography and MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 levels were determined by ELISA.


RESULTS
While we found similar TIMP-2 levels, higher plasma pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios were found in MWA and MA patients compared with controls (P<0.05). Higher TIMP-1 levels and lower MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were found in MA, but not in MWA, patients compared with controls (P<0.05). We found no significant differences when patients without headache attack were compared with patients having a headache attack (all P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We showed an increased net MMP-2 activity in MWA and MA. The increased MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios in MWA patients contrast with the lower MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios in MA patients and may reflect pathophysiological differences between these conditions.
Martins-Oliveira
Alisson
A
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
Speciali
Jose G
JG
Dach
Fabiola
F
Marcaccini
Andrea M
AM
Gonçalves
Flavia M
FM
Gerlach
Raquel F
RF
Tanus-Santos
J E
JE
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000097:blood*; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000097:blood
D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D045726:Metalloproteases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9