[Proinflammatory cytokines in children with idiopathic headache]

The pathogenesis of primary headaches is differential, with a neurogenic inflammation participation.

The aim of this research was to establish whether inflammation participates in the pathogenesis of migraine and tension-type headaches (ETTH). In order to establish this, the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and soluble TNF receptor type I (sTNFRI) were detected in groups with headaches during headache-free interval and in controls and in the blood of children with idiopathic headaches to detect changes during headache attack.

30 children with migraine were included (16 with aura and 14 without aura), 17 boys and 13 girls aged 10-17 years (mean 13.5). The group with ETTH consisted of 31 patients, 24 girls and 7 boys, aged 6-17 years (mean 13.5). The control group, 28 children without headache, diagnosed with non-inflammatory orthopedic diseases, consisted of 15 boys and 13 girls, aged 7-17 years (mean 13.0). When the pain started during hospitalization, the blood was sampled in the first hour of the headache, then 3 hours and 6 hours since headache started (if headache persisted), and 6 hours after its termination. Two days after the pain termination, the blood samples were collected in children suffering from headaches, as the headache-free measurements and in controls under the same conditions at 7 a.m. after awakening. The cytokine level was established using Biosource kits, all 326 samples were processed. The statistical assessment was conducted.

No differences were detected in cytokine levels between the groups with migraine and ETTH and with comparison to controls during headache-free interval and during headache attack as well. However, it was established that in 12/30 children with migraine there was a significant increase in IL-6 level in the first hour of the migraine attack. This group consisted of 12 children with TNF level higher and the tendency toward decrease in sTNFRI was established, 3 hours since headache started, as compared to 18/30 children with migraine but without increase in IL-6. The correlation between the level of cytokines and age and weight was not detected. Also no correlation was established between cytokine levels and leukocyte and thrombocyte count.

1. Changes of the level of IL-6, IL-1beta, TNF and sTNFRI in the blood of children with idiopathic headache do not indicate a significant role of inflammatory process in its pathogenesis. 2. Although the significant increase in IL-6 levels observed in several children in the first hour of the migraine attack may suggest that neurogenic inflammation participates in the pathogenesis of migraine.