Level of nitric oxide-dependent cGMP in patients with migraine

It is believed that nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in migraine attacks. This molecule is formed due to the conversion of L-arginine into L -citrulline. The target receptor for NO is ferrum in the heme group of cyto plasmic guanyl cyclase, the enzyme catalyzing cyclic guanosine monophosphat e (cGMP) formation. To confirm this hypothesis, cGMP and nitrite level in t he blood serum were measured in patients with migraine. The group under stu dy included 37 subjects suffering from migraine with and without aura and 4 0 normal control subjects. The cGMP was measured during a migraine attack a nd 60 min following the administration of sumatriptan 6 mg subcutaneously. A statistically significant increase in cGMP level was observed in patients during a migraine attack compared to the controls. This level decreased af ter the administration of sumatriptan, but it was still higher than in the controls. No correlation was found between the increased cGMP level and pai n intensification with clinical symptoms of migraine. The results suggest t he participation of biochemical changes in migraine pathogenesis in the L-a rginine-NO-cGMP pathway.