Vitamin D receptor and binding protein genes variants in patients with migraine

Abstract

Background/ObjectivesSeveral studies have shown a relationship between vitamin D and migraine, including the association between decreased serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D in patients with migraine and the positive effects of vitamin D supplementations in the therapy of this disease. Two single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, VDR rs2228570, and VDR rs731236 have shown an association with migraine risk in a previous case–control association study, while an exome sequencing study identified a rare variant in GC vitamin D binding protein gene. This study aims to look for the association between several common variants in these two genes and the risk for migraine.MethodsWe genotyped 290 patients diagnosed with migraine and 300 age‐matched controls using specific TaqMan assays for VDR rs2228570, VDR rs731236, VDR rs7975232, VDR rs739837, VDR rs78783628, GC rs7041, and GC rs4588 SNVs.ResultsWe did not find an association between these SNVs and the risk for migraine. None of these SNVs were related to the positivity of a family history of migraine or with the presence of aura. The VDR rs731236A allele showed a significant association with the triggering of migraine attacks by ethanol (Pc = 0.007).ConclusionsIn summary, the results of the current study suggest a lack of association between common SNVs in the VDR and GC gene and the risk of developing migraine. The possible relationship between VDR rs731236 and the triggering of migraine episodes with ethanol deserves future studies.

Vitamin D binding protein in psychiatric and neurological disorders: Implications for diagnosis and treatment

“… 100 However, a study that genotyped 290 patients diagnosed with migraine and 300 matched controls suggested no association between the polymorphisms of VDBP single nucleotide polymorphisms and the risk of developing migraine. 101 Similarly, another cross-sectional prospective study with 52 patients with migraine and 49 controls found that serum VDBP levels did not correlate with migraine or headache characteristics, including aura, attack severity/frequency/duration, and disease duration. 102 Given the current state of research, evidence is scarce to establish a direct relationship between VDBP and migraine.…”