Immunological aspects in migraine: Increase of IL-10 plasma levels during attack

In the present study, 23 patients with migraine without aura were monitored during a migraine attack. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10 , and interferon-gamma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay t echniques. Interestingly, we observed low to undetectable IL-5 and IL-4 lev els, whereas high IL-10 levels were seen in 52.2% of the patients. Interfer on-gamma plasma levels were undetectable in all patients. After treatment w ith sumatriptan, 10 patients showed a subsequent decrease in IL-10 and an i ncrease in both IL-4 and IL-5 plasma levels. Although these findings are de rived from a limited number of patients, the apparent return to the IL-4 an d IL-5 cytokine profile observed during the interictal period leads us to s peculate that a preferential enhancement of T(H)2-type cytokine production may contribute to the pathogenesis of migraine.