Migraine and ergot use increase plasma pentraxin 3 levels: an Egyptian study

Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation are linked to migraine, which may contribute to atherogenesis and increase the risk of ischemia. In migraineurs, preclinical vascular involvement manifested as compromised structural characteristics of vessel wall has not received enough attention or evaluation.

To measure plasma pentraxin 3 as an indicator of endothelial dysfunction in migraine in comparison to controls and to examine its correlation with clinical characteristics, headache severity, and brain magnetic resonance imaging findings.

This study was conducted on 40 migraineurs and 40 healthy matched control subjects. The severity and intensity of headaches were quantified using the Headache Impact Test and the translated Arabic version of Migraine Disability assessment questionnaires. Both patients and controls underwent routine laboratory assessment, brain MR imaging, and measurement of plasma pentraxin 3 level.

Patients with migraine had a significantly higher mean plasma pentraxin 3 when compared to controls. Patients with chronic migraine and those taking ergots also had significantly higher plasma pentraxin 3 levels. Additionally, there were statistically significant positive correlation between frequency of headaches and duration of the disease with plasma pentraxin 3 level. For diagnosing endothelial dysfunction in migraine patients, the sensitivity and specificity of pentraxin 3 levels were 85% and 95%, respectively, with cut-off value of 3.100 ng/ml.

Pentraxin 3 levels could be used as a chemical biomarker for endothelial dysfunction in migraines with high sensitivity and specificity. Higher plasma levels of pentraxin 3 in patients receiving ergots may influence the selection of treatment for migraine patients.