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-alpha, IL-1beta 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-alpha, IL-1beta, 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-1beta and IL-6 compared with the healthy controls (for IL-1beta; 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-alpha (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-1beta 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.