PLATELET SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE IN MIGRAINE AND TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a radical-scavenging enzyme. We determin ed Cu, Zn-SOD concentrations and activities in platelets from subjects with migraine and tension-type headaches. Thirty migraine without aur a (MWoA) patients, 9 migraine with aura (MWA) patients, and 53 tension -type headache patients were selected for study. Thirty healthy volunt eers composed the control group. Concentrations of platelet SOD were d etermined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. The acti vity of platelet SOD was determined by measuring reductivity of nitrob lue tetrazolium. Low concentrations of platelet SOD were found in pati ents with MWA and MWoA. Platelet SOD activity decreased in MWA patient s but not in patients with MWoA or tension-type headaches. These findi ngs suggest vulnerability to oxidative stress in patients with migrain e. It is suggested that low platelet SOD levels may play an important role in the etiology of migraine.