Increased levels of total oxidant status and decreased activity of arylesterase in migraineurs

Objectives: There is strong evidence associating migraine with a variety of comorbid disorders, including cardiovascular disease and stroke, in which oxidative stress seems to be an important underlying mechanism. The aim of the study was to investigate in migraineurs the body oxidant/antioxidant balance and paraoxonase enzyme activities as a measure of HDL functionality. Design and methods: Oxidative stress index, total oxidant status and antioxidant status were examined in addition to the paraoxonase and arylesterase enzyme activities in sixty-two migraineurs and fifty healthy control subjects. Results: Serum arylesterase activities were significantly lower in migraineurs (p = 0.0065), whereas total oxidant status was higher in patients compared to the controls (p = 0.0035). Conclusions: This preliminary study showed that oxidative/antioxidative balance shifted towards the oxidative status in migraine. Moreover, the results also suggested that decreased arylesterase activities might be associated with HDL-related disfunction. (C) 2011 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.