Association of serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and interleukin-6 with migraine

• DOI: 10.1007/s10072-014-2010-3
• Publication Date: 2014-12-01T20:03:45Z
• Authors: Fengzhi Wang; Qiu He; Zhanxiu Ren; Fuyong Li; Wei Chen; Xiang Lin; Hemin Zhang; Guofeng Tai
• Keywords: Pathogenesis; Positive correlation

To investigate the associations of serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) with migraine and migraine subtypes, and to study their correlation with each other in this condition. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure serum levels of ICAM1 and IL-6 in 103 migraine patients with and without aura, in both attack and pain-free periods, and in 100 healthy control subjects. Serum levels of ICAM1 and IL-6 were significantly higher in migraine patients during attacks than in controls (p < 0.05). Serum ICAM1 levels were significantly higher in migraine with aura (MA) than in migraine without aura (MO), (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between serum levels of ICAM1 and IL-6 (p < 0.05) in migraine patients during attacks. Our results indicate that ICAM1 and IL-6 are involved in the pathogenesis of migraine attacks, possibly via an interactive mechanism.