Platelet changes in classic migraine

Abstract

We investigated some ultrastructural aspects of platelet activity in patients with classic migraine during an attack-free period. We focused on the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), the intracellular concentration of Ca++ and the membrane phospholipid structure using a DPH (1,6 diphenyl-1,3,5 hexatriene) fluorescent probe. Our study comprised 20 patients with classic migraine and 5 healthy controls, from whom 10 cc samples of blood were collected in test tubes containing sodium citrate (1/9 cc). We found no significant differences in MDA production between migraineurs and controls either before or after stimulation with thrombin. The same applies to the concentration of intracellular Ca++ (Ca++i). The membrane lipid composition assessed by DPH fluorescent probe was normal both in migraineurs and in controls. Our findings suggest no intrinsic activation of platelet aggregation.

A meta-analysis of biomarkers related to oxidative stress and nitric oxide pathway in migraine

“…However, they are rather homogeneous, when measured by spectrophotometry, irrespective of the name assigned by the authors to the assay (TBARS or MDA); instead, chromatographic techniques are specific for MDA (30,31). In the retrieved papers, TBARS were significantly higher in cases than in controls when measured with spectrophotometry in plasma (24)(25)(26)32), and similar results were found in platelets (33,34) and urine (35,36). In the summary estimate of the three studies with available data (24)(25)(26), cases doubled control values (Table 1).…”