The Role of Plasma Endothelin in Patients with Migraine

To explore the relationship between plasma endothelin and migraine attack. Methods: The plasma endthelin (ET-1) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 54 patients with migraine (classic: 18,common:36) and 20 patients with tension headache. Results:The plasma ET-1 level in patients with migraine attack was higher than that of normal controls or patients with tension headache ( P 0.01) . During intermission, the ET-1 level of patients with classic migraine was higher than that of patients with common migraine (P0.01) ,and the ET-1 level in male patients was higher than in female ones. Conclusion:The data suggest that there are abnormalities of vascular endothelial cell system in patients with migraine. ET-1 may be one of factors causing migraine attack.