CYTOKINES AND MIGRAINE - INCREASE OF IL-5 AND IL-4 PLASMA-LEVELS

Thirty-two patients suffering from migraine without aura were assessed during the interictal period to evaluate the contribution of cytokine s to the pathophysiology of migraine. To this end, plasma levels of IF N-gamma. IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunoso rbent assay (ELISA) techniques. Plasma levels of both IFN-gamma and IL -10 were not increased in the patients and did not differ significantl y from healthy controls. Of interest, we observed a strong increase of IL-5 levels in 84.3% as well as increased IL-4 levels in 37.5% of pat ients with migraine without aura. These results suggest a preferential enhancement of some Th2-type cytokines, and may support the growing a rguments of an immunoallergic mechanism in the pathophysiology of migr aine.