Oxidative Stress and Platelet Responsiveness in Migraine

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate whether oxidative stress may represent a pivotal determinant of the altered functional features of platelets in migraineurs during the headache-free period. Twenty-three patients with migraine with aura, free of attack, and 23 healthy volunteers were enrolled for the study. The involvement of an oxidative condition appears confirmed by the statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) of plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances which may be considered a marker for oxidative stress and themselves strong-pro-oxidants. Such oxidative status seems to induce in platelets of migraineurs increased membrane rigidity (p < 0.001), reduced cytosolic calcium in the resting condition and after thrombin stimulation (p < 0.001), and decreased aggregatory responses to ADP and collagen. These findings indicate that the "in vitro" anomalous platelet behavior in migraineurs, observed in headache-free periods, may be considered as the transient expression of the exhausted platelets to "in vivo" stimulation and probably related to an increased vulnerability to oxidative stress.

Increased Nitrosative and Oxidative Stress in Platelets of Migraine Patients

“…Therefore, increased nitrosative-and oxidative stress may influence platelet function and cerebral microcirculation. Platelet secretory products released by activation of lipid peroxidation may impair cerebral blood flow (Tozzi-Ciancarelli et al 1997). It was suggested that NO may cause the headache through variations of cerebral blood flow by interacting with oxygen free radicals in migraine (Radomski et al 1991;Shimomura et al 1994;Ciancarelli et al 2003).…”

“…It was also suggested that reactive free radicals may be stimulated during migraine attacks in amounts sufficient to overcome normally effective protective mechanisms (Tozzi-Ciancarelli et al 1997). Malondialdehyde (MDA), one of the well-known secondary products of lipid peroxidation after exposure to reactive oxygen species and free radicals, may be used to evaluate oxidative damage (Esterbauer et al 1991;Karatas et al 2002).…”

Influence of acute exercise on human platelet responsiveness: possible involvement of exercise-induced oxidative stress

“…Ex vivo platelet aggregation was performed within 30 min after blood collection as reported previously (Tozzi-Ciancarelli et al 1997). The platelet response was evoked by 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 lmolál ±1 ADP and collagen.…”

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) polymorphisms and risk for migraine

“…Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), oxidative stress markers, have been found increased in plasma [24] and 24-h urine [3,4] of patients with migraine in headache-free periods, and urinary excretion was even more increased during migraine attacks [3]. Malonildialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, has been found increased [25,26] or decreased [2] in erythrocytes, and decreased in serum [2].…”

“…Glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) has been found increased in erythrocytes [2] and normal in neutrophils [22], and catalase normal in erythrocytes [2] and neutrophils [22]. Nitric oxide (NO) has been found increased in 24-h urine of migraine patients during headache-free periods, both compared with normal controls or after the migraine-attack [24], decreased in serum [5], and increased in platelets during the migraineattack [26]. Finally, platelet peroxynitrite production has been found increased, and platelet membrane fluidity decreased in migraine patients during headache-free periods [23].…”