A relationship between migraine and vascular disorders such as hypertension, stroke, and coronary ischemia has been recently reported. Insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, which commonly underlies these disorders, have not been widely investigated in migraine patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the existence of insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, and their relationship to vascular risk factors in patients with migraine.

We evaluated insulin resistance and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of endothelial dysfunction, in 60 migraine patients and 25 healthy control subjects. Multiple analysis of covariance test was used to adjust for known confounding factors that can influence insulin metabolism and endothelial function, such as obesity, blood pressure, and lipid parameters.

Insulin resistance, as measured homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-R levels, was significantly higher in the migraine group (p<0.001). After adjustment for confounding variables, the relationship between migraine and the HOMA-R levels remained significant (p<0.001). The hs-CRP levels did not differ between the migraine and control groups.

Our data show that insulin resistance is present in migraine patients. Endothelial dysfunction is not found during the headache-free period. Further studies are needed to explain the role of insulin resistance in migraine pathogenesis.

Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), which has a vasodilator effect, is held responsible for neurogenic inflammation and vasodilatation of the cranial vessels in migraine pathophysiology. In this study, we investigated the association between alpha CGRP gene polymorphism (CALCA T-692C) and migraine.

One hundred and thirty-four female migraineurs and 96 healthy female cases were enrolled in the study. The patient group was further subdivided into migraine with and without aura groups. The CALCA T-692C gene polymorphism was identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).

The genotype and allele frequencies of CALCA T-692C gene polymorphism did not differ between the migraine and control groups. Between the migraine with and without aura subgroups, there was no difference. No association was seen between the CALCA T-692C gene polymorphisms and migraine attack severity and frequency.

Our study did not show any association between CALCA T-692C gene polymorphism and migraine.