Research Submission: Increased Plasma Transforming Growth Factor- beta 1 in Migraine

• Published in: Headache Vol. 45; no. 9; pp. 1224 - 1228
• Main Authors: Ishizaki, Kumiko, Takeshima, Takao, Fukuhara, Yoko, Araki, Haruko, Nakaso, Kazuhiro, Kusumi, Masayoshi, Nakashima, Kenji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2005
• ISSN: 0017-8748; 1526-4610
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.00246.x

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* plus or minus 0.23 (mean plus or minus SE) ng-mL in migraine, 2.08 plus or minus 0.20 ng-mL in tension-type headache, and 1.80 plus or minus 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.