Blood nitrite levels in patients with migraine during headache-free period

Objective.-To investigate blood nitrite levels after migraine attacks and t o assess whether or not the change in nitric oxide levels observed during a cute migraine persist after the attacks. Background.-Involvement of nitric oxide has been suggested in the initiatio n of acute migraine. Recent studies have shown alteration in the platelet r esponse and platelet nitrite levels during migraine attacks. Methods.-Patients with migraine with aura and patients without aura were in cluded in the study, The study was conducted on 50 patients with migraine a nd 90 healthy controls. Blood from the patients was collected at least 7 +/ - 0.8 days after the last attack of migraine, Nitrite levels in the polymor phonuclear leukocytes, platelets, and plasma were estimated. Platelet aggre gation response in some of these patients was also studied. Results.-No significant change in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte, platelet , and plasma nitrite levels in patients with migraine compared to controls was observed. Patients with migraine with aura had significantly lower poly morphonuclear leukocyte nitrite levels compared to those without aura (P < .05). In addition, no significant difference in the adenosine diphosphate-i nduced platelet aggregation was observed in the migaineurs compared to the healthy controls, Conclusions.-Results obtained indicate that the platelet aggregation respon se and the blood nitrite levels were not altered significantly after an att ack in the patients with migraine.