Oxidative Stress in Migraine with and Without Aura

Biological Trace Element Research volume 126, pages92–97(2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Migraine is the most common neurological disorder, but the molecular basis is still not completely understood. An impairment of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism might play a role in the pathophysiology. The goal of this study was to investigate the differences in oxidative stress status with the measurement of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the migraine patients with or without aura and attack. There were 56 patients (46 female, 10 male) in the migraine group and 25 matched healthy subjects in the control group. The patients comprised 37 with migraine without aura (MWoA], 19 with migraine with aura (MWA), and 22 with headache attack. The MDA levels of patients in the migraine group were significantly higher than that in the control group. The SOD activity was significantly higher in the MWA as compared to MWoA. There was no significant correlation between these levels and headache attack period. Conclusively, in this preliminary study, we had found increased oxidative stress in the migraine patients especially the patients with MWA. Further knowledge about this issue may contribute the cause and complications of migraine and may be essential for development of treatment approaches.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University , Kahramanmaras, Turkey, 46060

    Deniz Tuncel & Mustafa Gokce

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University , Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Fatma Inanc Tolun & Seçil İmrek

  3. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University , Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Hasan Ekerbiçer

Authors
  1. Deniz Tuncel
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  2. Fatma Inanc Tolun
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  3. Mustafa Gokce
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  4. Seçil İmrek
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  5. Hasan Ekerbiçer
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Correspondence to Deniz Tuncel.

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Tuncel, D., Tolun, F.I., Gokce, M. et al. Oxidative Stress in Migraine with and Without Aura. Biol Trace Elem Res 126, 92–97 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-008-8193-9

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Keywords

  • Migraine
  • Oxidative stress
  • SOD activity
  • Aura
  • Attack