Do Plasma Nitric Oxide Levels Have an Impact on Unprovoked Migraine Attacks?

Abstract

Objective: Provocation studies on the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathophysiology of migraine have long been conducted and provide important information. Although there are many provocation studies in the literature, there are fewer publications on the role of NO in spontaneous migraine attacks. In this study, we aimed to compare the serum NO levels during unprovoked attacks in patients with migraine using the values in the interictal period and the results of the control group. Materials and Methods: Thirty migraine patients were evaluated for plasma NO levels during the natural course of unprovoked attacks and in the interictal period. They were also compared with the results of 25 healthy controls. Results: The mean plasma NO levels were 20.99 +- 4.93 μmol/l during migraine attacks, 25.97 +- 9.83 μmol/l between attacks and 23.22 +- 7.57 μmol/l in the control group. According to these results, the mean plasma NO levels were significantly lower in migraineurs during attacks compared to the non-attack period (P = 0.025), but there was no significant difference with controls (P = 0.212 and P = 0.247, respectively). Conclusion: To evaluate whether NO has an effect on the natural history of migraine attacks, more spontaneous attack studies involving methods other than measuring serum levels are needed.

Keywords

• migraine
• nitric oxide
• spontaneous attack