BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to observe the change in plasma PPARs (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors) level during various periods and in different subtypes in migraine patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We divided 227 patients with migraine into 2 main groups: the attack period group (n=98) and the attack-free period group (n=129). Patients were further divided into 4 subgroups according to whether they had aura symptoms. The control group consisted of 100 healthy subjects. We collected the clinical data of patients and measured the plasma levels of PPARs using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). We used SPSS software for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: We found no significant difference in age, BMI, blood pressure, or blood lipid level among migraine patients during the headache attack period and during the headache-free period compared with the control group. The PPARα and PPARβ/δ levels during the headache attack period were significantly higher than during the headache free period and in healthy controls. The PPARγ levels during the headache attack period were significantly lower than those during the headache-free period and in the healthy control group. The PPARs levels during the headache attack period were significantly different from those during the headache-free period, regardless of presence or absence of aura. The PPARs levels during the headache-free period were not significantly different from those of the healthy control group. The level of PPARs has no significant differences between migraine with aura group and without aura group, regardless of whether headache attack.

CONCLUSIONS: PPARs involved in the pathogenesis of migraine. Presence of absence of aura had no obvious effect on PPARs level.

Keywords: Migraine Disorders - blood, PPAR alpha - blood, PPAR gamma - blood, PPAR-beta - blood, Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors - blood