Serum cytokine and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with migraine

E. Uzar, O. Evliyaoglu*, Y. Yucel, M. Ugur Cevik, A. Acar, I. Guzel, Y. Islamoglu**, L. Colpan*, N. Tasdemir

Department of Neurology; *Department of Biochemistry and **Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir (Turkey)

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• Neurology

Objective: Although migraine has been related with an increased risk for ischemic stroke and cardiovascular events, there is insufficient data for role of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) in migraine. In present case-control study, serum levels of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, and IL-10) of migraine patients were investigated to determine the role of cytokines and pro-BNP in migraine.

Patients and Methods: Sixty-four consecutive newly diagnosed migraine patients and 34 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and pro-BNP levels were measured by using a chemiluminescence assay.

Results: Migraine patients had significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β and IL-6 compared with the healthy controls (for IL-1β; 5.73 ± 1.44 vs. 4.90±1.40 pg/mL, respectively, p =0.006; for IL-6; 3.1±1.44 vs. 2.40±0.22 pg/mL, respectively, p =0.007). The mean IL-10 levels were found to be significantly lower in migraine patients (3.38±2.93 pg/mL) than controls (6.76 ± 1.48 pg/mL) (p =0.007). There were no differences in TNF-α (27.2±48.1 vs. 15.4±0.7) and IL-2 (1017±661 vs. 1153±228) levels between patients with migraine and healthy controls. Migraine patients had higher concentrations of pro-BNP compared with healthy controls (27.0 ± 28.0 versus 13.2±8.6, p =0.006).

Conclusions: Migraine patients have higher serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels, and lower IL-10 levels than healthy subjects. These findings support that cytokines may be related to neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of migraine. Also, increased pro-BNP may indicate to preclinical cardiac involvement in patients with migraine.

Corresponding Author: Ertugrul Uzar, MD; e-mail: ertuzar@yahoo.com

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