c-peptide and Migraine-Disorders

The tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline (AMT) and the calcium channel blocker flunarizine are frequently used in the preventive treatment of migraine, but the side-effect of prominent weight gain that frequently emerges during preventive treatment of migraine with these agents often leads to the discontinuation of therapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the weight gain associated with the use of these agents and serum levels of leptin, C-peptide and insulin in patient with migraine. Forty-nine migraine patients with a body mass index (BMI) < 25 and without any endocrinological, immunological or chronic diseases were randomly divided into two groups, receiving AMT or flunarizine. There was a statistically significant increase in serum levels of leptin, C-peptide, insulin and measures of BMI in both groups when measured at the 12th week of therapy compared to their respective basal levels. To our knowledge this is the first study investigating the effects of AMT and flunarizine on serum leptin levels in preventive use of migraine treatment. A result from this study indicates that AMT and flunarizine may cause leptin resistance possibly by different mechanisms and thereby result in increase in serum leptin levels and BMI.

Topics: Adult; Amitriptyline; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; Body Mass Index; C-Peptide; Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Insulin; Leptin; Male; Migraine Disorders; Vasodilator Agents; Weight Gain

In patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), there are changes in vascular reactivity and nerve conduction that may be relevant for migraine pathophysiology. However, previous studies on the relationship between headache and DM have shown conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible association between headache and DM in a large population-based cross-sectional study. Associations were assessed in multivariate analyses, estimating prevalence odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Prevalence OR of migraine was lower amongst persons with DM compared with those without DM, the OR being 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2-0.9) for type 1 and 0.7 (95% CI: 0.5-0.9) for type 2 DM. Furthermore, OR of headache were lower amongst those with duration of DM > or = 13 years compared with those who had got DM the last 3 years, OR 0.6 (95% CI: 0.4-0.9). The analyses revealed no clear associations between non-migrainous headache and DM. The reason for the inverse relationship between migraine and DM is unknown, but might be related to pathophysiological abnormalities in patients with DM that protect against migraine.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Autoantibodies; Blood Glucose; C-Peptide; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Glutamate Decarboxylase; Glycated Hemoglobin; Headache; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Norway; Odds Ratio; Surveys and Questionnaires

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Appetite; Blood Glucose; C-Peptide; Dietary Carbohydrates; Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Insulin; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Time Factors; Weight Gain