Investigating the role of adipokines in chronic migraine

Background and aims Adiponectin, leptin, and resistin are adipocyte-derived secretory factors involved in endothelial function, weight, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Recent studies suggested a role for adipokines in episodic migraine as mediators of inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, and resistin in patients with chronic migraine. Materials and methods Twenty-seven chronic migraineurs (20 females, 7 males; mean age 49.0 ± 9.0 yrs) and 37 healthy controls (23 females, 14 males; mean age 49.8 ± 15.0 yrs) were selected for the study. Fasting plasmatic levels of total adiponectin, leptin, and resistin were measured using ELISA kits during a pain-free period. Fasting glucose, insulin, total and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and ESR were also determined. Results Serum levels of adiponectin and resistin were significantly increased in chronic migraineurs in comparison with controls (p = 0.001 and p = 0.032, respectively). After correction for BMI, sex and age, leptin levels were significantly increased in chronic migraineurs (p = 0.007). A positive correlation between leptin concentrations and both indices of insulin resistance and markers of inflammation was found. Discussion Our data suggest that adiponectin and resistin are altered in non-obese chronic migraineurs. Further studies are needed to elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying adipokine dysfunction in migraine.