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Neuroendocrine effects of subcutaneous sumatriptan in patients with migraine

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Abstract

We evaluated the sensitivity of 5-HT1D receptors in patients with migraine using sumatriptan as a pharmacological probe. The drug inhibits the release of ACTH, cortisol and prolactin and this effect may be used to explore the function of serotoninergic systems in vivo. We administered sumatriptan (6 mg sc) and placebo to 15 migraineurs, during the headache-free period, and to 10 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected −15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min after injections. Sumatriptan induced a significant (p<0.01) decrease of ACTH, cortisol and prolactin concentrations both in patients with migraine and in controls. The neuroendocrine response was not significantly different in the two groups. Our results suggest that 5-HT1D receptor sensitivity is not altered in migraine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology III, Headache Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy

    Innocenzo Rainero, W. Valfrè, L. Savi, S. Gentile & L. Pinessi

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    L. Gianotti, E. Arvat & E. Ghigo

  3. Division of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    P. Del Rizzo, P. Calvelli & P. Limone

Authors
  1. Innocenzo Rainero
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  2. W. Valfrè
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  3. L. Savi
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  4. S. Gentile
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  5. L. Pinessi
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  6. L. Gianotti
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  7. E. Arvat
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  8. E. Ghigo
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  9. P. Del Rizzo
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  10. P. Calvelli
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  11. P. Limone
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Correspondence to Innocenzo Rainero.

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Rainero, I., Valfrè, W., Savi, L. et al. Neuroendocrine effects of subcutaneous sumatriptan in patients with migraine. J Endocrinol Invest 24, 310–314 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03343866

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