title: Migraine preventive drug-induced weight gain may be mediated by effects on hypothalamic peptides: the results of a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed to verify changes in the levels of hypothalamic neuropeptides in migraineurs under preventive treatment with amitryptiline and flunarizine. Thirty-nine migraine patients with a body mass index <25 kg/m(2) and without endocrinological or metabolic diseases were assigned to two treatment groups, one receiving amitryptiline, the other flunarizine, for 3 months. Orexin-A, orexin-B and neuropeptide-Y plasma levels were measured at the basal time, at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd months of preventive treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant reduction in plasma orexin-A and orexin-B levels emerged in both groups. Conversely, plasma neuropeptide-Y levels were markedly increased, with the highest levels at the 2nd and 3rd months, in both patient groups. Orexin-A levels were also negatively correlated to weight gain in both groups during the treatment period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that changes in the levels of hypothalamic orexinergic peptides may contribute to body weight increase occurring in migraineurs during amitryptiline or flunarizine prophylactic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Public Health, University of Perugia, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caproni
authors.forename: Ilenia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Corbelli
authors.forename: Luigi Alberto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pini
authors.forename: Maria Letizia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cupini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calabresi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sarchielli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D009479:Neuropeptides; D000639:Amitriptyline; D005444:Flunarizine