The importance of cytokines, chemokines and nitric oxide in pathophysiology of migraine

The certain etiology migraine is unknown. The study was aimed at determining to the efficiency of cytokines, chemokines and nitric oxide (NO) to the pathophysiology of migraine. The levels of cytokines, chemokines and NO in serum of 25 patients with migraine during attacks and attack-free periods and 25 healthy controls were investigated. The levels of cytokines and chemokines were determined by enzyme-linked inummosorbent assay. NO concentrations were determined by a nitrate/nitrite colorimetric assay kit. In attack groups, IL-10 levels were found higher than in attack-free groups and healthy controls (p < 0.05). IL-6 levels in migraine patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls. The levels of RANTES were high in attacks groups. There was an increase NO concentrations in migraine attacks. The study's results reflect that the etiology of migraine is multifactorial and probably related to immunological changes. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.