Prostaglandin F2α metabolite and F2-isoprostane excretion rates in migraine

The pathophysiology theory of migraine postulates a local, neurogenic inflammation and the possible involvement of oxidative stress. We analysed the levels of 15-oxo-dihydro-prostaglandin F_2α (a metabolite of prostaglandin F_2α) and 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α (a major isoprostane), which are biomarkers for inflammation and oxidative stress respectively, in urine from 21 patients with migraine, with and without aura. Urine samples from migraine patients were collected during a migraine attack, and control samples were collected from the same subjects on a migraine-free morning. The mean basal levels of 15-oxo-dihydro-prostaglandin F_2α and 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α in the morning control urine samples were 0.54±0.11 and 0.31±0.13nmol/mmol of creatinine respectively. The mean levels of 15-oxo-dihydro-prostaglandin F_2α and 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α in the urine samples collected during the migraine attack in the 21 patients were 0.53±0.13 and 0.32±0.11nmol/mmol of creatinine respectively. Thus there were no differences in the 15-oxo-dihydro-prostaglandin F_2α and 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α excretion rates during the migraine attack compared with on the migraine-free day. However, the basal 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α excretion levels on the migraine-free day were significantly lower in pre-menopausal women (0.24±0.08nmol/mmol of creatinine, n = 11) compared with post-menopausal women (0.39±0.14nmol/mmol of creatinine; n = 7; P = 0.009). In conclusion, in this study we found no support for the involvement of inflammation and oxidative stress in migraine pathophysiology. Our results indicate, however, a lower level of oxidative stress in pre-menopausal compared with post-menopausal women.