title: Endothelial progenitor cells: a new key for endothelial dysfunction in migraine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to study endothelial function with biochemical and ultrasonographic markers and its relation with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with migraine.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a case-control study including 47 patients with episodic migraine (International Headache Society 2004 criteria) and 23 control subjects. We analyzed flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the dominant brachial artery, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels by ELISA, nitric oxide stable metabolites (NOx) by high-performance liquid chromatography, and EPCs in peripheral blood samples, obtained during interictal periods (n = 47) and migraine attacks (n = 19). Frequency, severity, duration of attacks, and time of evolution of migraine were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with migraine showed lower numbers of EPCs than control subjects (9.4 ± 5.0 vs 17.9 ± 6.0 colony forming unit-endothelial cells [CFU-ECs]; p < 0.0001) and higher levels of CGRP (164.2 ± 139.1 vs 37.1 ± 38.5 pg/mL), VEGF (473.4 ± 398.7 vs 72.6 ± 56.6 pg/mL), and NOx (1225.2 ± 466.1 vs 671.9 ± 358.6 μM) (all p < 0.05). During attacks, higher levels for CGRP (298.2 ± 100.3 pg/mL) and NOx (1,656.8 ± 259.5 μM) and lower numbers of EPC (7.2 ± 3.2 CFU-ECs) were observed (all p < 0.05). No changes were found for FMD in interictal periods or during headache. In relation to clinical parameters, EPCs decreased with the time of evolution of migraine (r = -0.592; p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with migraine show reduced numbers of EPCs and increased levels of CGRP, NOx, and VEGF than control subjects. Furthermore, EPC counts decrease as migraine progresses in time. These findings suggest altered endothelial function in patients with migraine.
authors: Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors: Xiana
authors: X
authors: Rodríguez-Osorio
authors: Tomás
authors: T
authors: Sobrino
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Brea
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Martínez
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Castillo
authors: Rogelio
authors: R
authors: Leira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide