Assessment of serum oxidative stress parameters in migraine patients

This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between serum oxidative stress parameters and clinical characteristics of patients with migraine by measuring total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), ischemia- modified albumin (IMA), and thiol/disulfide homeostasis levels.

The study included a total of 152 individuals, of whom 76 were diagnosed with migraine and 76 were controls. Disease duration, attack duration, attack frequency, Visual Analog Scale scores, comorbidities, were recorded in the migraine group. Using the serum samples of the patient and control groups, oxidative stress parameters were analyzed by colorimetric methods and evaluated together with clinical findings.

In the patient group, the measured total thiol, native thiol, IMA, TOS, and OSI levels were statistically significantly higher than those in the control group (for each group; p < 0.01). The mean TAS level of the patient group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between the frequency of attacks and the measured IMA levels (r: 0.244; p = 0.034; p < 0.05).

This study found that TAS levels decreased, while TOS, OSI, and IMA levels increased during the interictal period in patients with migraine. These parameters shifting toward an oxidant balance may indicate that oxidative stress also plays a role in the pathogenesis of migraine. In addition, the significant positive correlation between the frequency of attacks and IMA levels are likely to indicate that secondary ischemic mechanisms may play a role in the pathophysiology of this condition.