title: Influence of tumor necrosis factor alpha gene promoter polymorphisms and its serum level on migraine susceptibility in Egyptian patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Migraine is a common chronic neurological disorder with still largely unknown pathogenesis. We aimed to explore the possible role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms as risk factors of migraine, and whether they influence the TNF-α level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred patients with migraine and 200 controls were enrolled in this study. Polymorphisms of TNF-α gene were detected using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Serum TNF-α level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  TNF-α-308 GA, AA genotypes and A allele, TNF-α-857 CT genotype and T allele were associated with increased risk of migraine, while the TNF-α-238 polymorphism was not. TNF-α-308 GA, AA genotypes and A allele or AA genotype were associated with increased risk of migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) respectively; this was more significant in female patients with MA than in males. TNF-α-857 CT genotype was associated with increased risk of MO, or MA in females or males. While -857T allele was significantly associated with MO or MA in males and with MA only in females. On the other hand, we didn't find any significant associations of TNF-α-238 polymorphism with MO, or MA in males or females. TNF-α levels were higher in patients with migraine, MA, or MO than in controls (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TNF-α polymorphisms were associated with migraine, MA, or MO in Egyptians.
authors.affiliation: Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Fawzi
authors.affiliation: Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. Electronic address: amalelshal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amal S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: El-Shal
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nearmeen M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Rashad
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hala A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Fathy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D020326:Migraine without Aura / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C439524:TNF protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: Gene polymorphism; Migraine; Migraine with aura; Migraine without aura; Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism; Tumor necrosis factor