Increased plasma transforming growth factor-β1 in migraine

Background and Objectives.-Migraine is characterized by the peripheral and central sensitization of pain perceptive neural systems, and neurogenic inflammation is a key step in the development of migraine headache. We focused on transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), which is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine. To address the possibility of TGF-beta 1 involvement in migraine, we investigated the plasma level of TGF-beta 1 in patients with migraine headache during headache-free periods. Subjects and Methods.-Sixty-eight subjects with migraine participated: 23 with migraine with aura (MWA) and 45 without aura (MWoA). We recruited 58 healthy subjects without headache as controls. In addition, we examined 12 subjects with episodic tension-type headache. Platelet poor plasma (PPP) was obtained from subjects during headache free-periods. TGF-beta 1 levels in PPP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results.-The TGF-beta 1 level in PPP was 2.62*+/- 0.23 (mean +/- SE) ng/mL in migraine, 2.08 +/- 0.20 ng/mL in tension-type headache, and 1.80 +/- 0.09 ng/mL in controls (P= .007, ANOVA; *P < .01, post hoc tests vs. the controls). Conclusion.-TGF-beta 1 in PPP was significantly increased in patients with migraine during headache-free periods. TGF-beta 1 may play some role in the development of migraine headache.