Evaluation of Lipid Peroxidation Representing Oxidative Stress in Patients with Migraine

Objective: In recent years, the role of oxidative stress in several diseases is being disassed including migraine. Lipid peroxidation is accepted to be the best index for oxidative damage. This study was designed to see the oxidative stresslantioxidant status profile during a migraine attack and the initial phase. Method: In 27 patients with migraine, during the attack and the initial phase, as well as 27 healthy controls, serum levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) as a marker for lipid peroxidation, and serum levels of uric acid and albumin, as a marker for antioxidant status, were measured. Results: TBARS levels were found to be significantly higher in migraine attack compared to the initial level as well as to the control group (p <0,001). Uric acid levels during the attack were found to be significantly higher with respect to initial phase and controls (p<0,001 and p<0,01). The difference between serum uric acid levels of initial phase and control group was not statistically significant (p>0,05). There was no difference among groups for serum albumin levels (p>0,05). Conclusions : The results of our study suggest that, oxidative stress may have an important role in migraine pathogenesis.