neuropeptide-y and Tension-Type-Headache

Fibromyalgia (FM) is thought to occur because of the combination of interactions among neurotransmitters, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), stressors, hormones, cytokines, and both the immune and sympathetic nervous systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of cytokines, antipolymer antibodies (APA), and NPY in 51 patients with FM, 25 with tension-type headache (TTH), and 15 healthy controls. Serum concentrations of eight different cytokines, APA and NPY, were measured. Interleukin (IL)-1RA, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were higher in serum of FM patients compared with TTH patients and a significant correlation between IL-10 and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score was observed. There was a significant difference between FM and TTH versus controls in NPY levels, but not in APA levels. Cytokines and NPY take part in pain modulation and even if they are altered in FM they cannot be considered as measurable biomarkers of disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antibodies; Case-Control Studies; Cytokines; Female; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropeptide Y; Pain; Surveys and Questionnaires; Syndrome; Tension-Type Headache

Animal and human studies have shown that substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are involved in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic pain conditions. The primary aim of the present study was to compare plasma levels of SP, NPY and VIP in external jugular vein between patients with chronic tension-type headache and healthy controls. The secondary aim was to examine plasma levels of these neuropeptides in relation to headache state. In addition, we wanted to study the relation between cranial circulation (jugular vein) and peripheral circulation (antecubital vein). Blood from the external jugular and antecubital vein was drawn from 20 patients with chronic tension-type headache and 20 healthy controls. Plasma SP in patients, 2.0 (1.4-2.2) pmol/l, did not differ significantly from plasma SP in controls, 1.7 (1.1-2.1) pmol/l, (P=0.44). No significant differences were found between SP levels on days with headache, 1.5 (0.3-1.7) pmol/l, and SP levels on days without headache, 1.7 (1.1-1. 9) pmol/l, (P=0.06). Plasma NPY in patients, 118+/-3 pmol/l, did not differ significantly from plasma NPY in controls, 113+/-5 pmol/l, (P=0.40). There was no difference between NPY levels on days with headache, 120+/-3 pmol/l, and on days without headache, 118+/-3 pmol/l, (P=0.73). VIP levels in patients, 6 (4-7) pmol/l, did not differ significantly from VIP levels in controls, 5 (5-7) pmol/l, (P=0.50). No significant differences were found between VIP levels measured on days with headache, 5 (4-6) pmol/l, and VIP levels measured on days without headache, 6 (4-7) pmol/l, (P=0.81). Plasma levels of SP, NPY and VIP did not significantly differ between the peripheral and the cranial circulation neither in patients nor in controls (0.05). In summary, the present study indicates that plasma levels of SP, NPY and VIP are normal in chronic tension-type headache patients and largely unrelated to headache state.

Topics: Adult; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Female; Headache Disorders; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropeptide Y; Substance P; Tension-Type Headache; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide