Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Prednisolone reduces nitric oxide-induced migraine
P Tfelt-Hansen1, D Daugaard, L H Lassen
1Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Centre, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark. ptha@glo.regionh.dk
European Journal of Neurology
|July 21, 2009
Summary
Prednisolone pre-treatment did not prevent delayed headaches from glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) but significantly reduced their intensity. This suggests inflammatory mediators play a role in GTN-induced migraine.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is known to trigger delayed migraine attacks in susceptible individuals.
- The potential of pre-treatment with corticosteroids to mitigate GTN-induced migraines requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of prednisolone pre-treatment in reducing GTN-induced delayed migraine attacks.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of GTN-induced headaches.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study involving 15 migraineurs without aura.
- Participants received either prednisolone or placebo, followed by a GTN infusion.
- Headache intensity and frequency were monitored hourly for 12 hours using headache diaries.
Main Results:
- Prednisolone did not significantly alter the frequency of immediate or delayed GTN-induced headaches.
- A significant reduction in the peak intensity of delayed headache was observed following prednisolone pre-treatment (P < 0.01).
- GTN's effects on cerebral blood flow velocity and arterial dilation were not significantly altered by prednisolone.
Conclusions:
- Prednisolone pre-treatment significantly decreases the intensity of delayed GTN-induced headache, suggesting a role for inflammatory mediators.
- The findings support the hypothesis that inflammatory mediators are involved in the mechanism of delayed GTN-induced migraine.
- These results may also imply a role for inflammatory mediators in spontaneous migraine pathogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators
Vasodilators, primarily affecting the smooth muscles within arterial and venous walls, are commonly used for hypertension treatment. Medications such as minoxidil and hydralazine primarily target arteries and arterioles, while sodium nitroprusside acts on arterioles and venules. Minoxidil, functioning as a prodrug, is metabolized by hepatic sulfotransferase into its active form, minoxidil sulfate, after oral administration. This metabolite binds to the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) component of...
01:16Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers
In cardiovascular health, antianginal drugs combat angina pectoris — a condition marked by chest pain owing to diminished blood flow to the heart.
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Administered...
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Administered...
01:28Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure to...
01:27Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers
β-receptor blockers significantly impact the cardiovascular system by counteracting catecholamine-induced sympathetic responses. These medications decrease heart rate, contractility, and cardiac output, potentially leading to cardiac depression, life-threatening bradycardia, and death. Therapeutically, β-blockers function as mild antihypertensives and are utilized in treating angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmias. However, nonselective β-blockers inhibit β2-receptors in bronchial smooth...
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...