A CORRELATION BETWEEN MIGRAINE, HISTAMINE AND IMMUNOGLOBULIN E

Abstract

Although migraine affects about 15 % of the population, and many studies have been performed to find the mechanism and successful management, the physiopathology of migraine is still largely unknown. The possibility of an IgE-mediated allergic mechanism and the role of histamine remains controversial. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of serum total IgE and histamine levels in migraine patients and the influence of allergy on them. 70 patients (18-58 years) with migraine without aura were divided in to 2 groups according to their history of allergy (60% with & 40% without allergy). Serum samples were collected during fasting without allowing any premedication in 2 conditions of attack and remission periods. There was a control group containing 45 healthy volunteers. Serum total IgE and histamine levels were measured by ELISA and tluorimetric methods respectively. Mean and standard error of serum histamine (ng/ml) and total IgE (IU/ml) levels were found in control group as 48.16±2.70, 38.31 + 3.20 and in migraine with an allergy group as 159.11 ±4.60, 303.30±42.50 and in migraine without an allergy group as 105.01 ±8.50, 79.07±2.70 respectively.