Derangement of Serotonin System in Migrainous Patients With Analgesic Abuse Headache: Clues From Platelets |
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| Authors: | Anan Srikiatkhachorn,MD, Supang Maneesri,MS, Piyarat Govitrapong,PhD, Vira Kasantikul,MD |
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| Affiliation: | From the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Dr. Srikiatkhachorn) and; Department of Pathology (Ms. Maneesri and Dr. Kasantikul), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand and the; Department of Neuro- and Behavioral Biology (Dr. Govitrapong), Institute of Science and Technology for Research and Development, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand. |
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| Abstract: | Accumulating evidence indicates that serotonin (5-HT) may be involved in the process of analgesic-induced headache transformation. In order to clarify this hypothesis, we investigated the 5-HT system in migraine patients with analgesic abuse headache by using platelets as a neuronal model. Our results revealed a significant decrease in platelet 5-HT content in these patients compared to migraine patients and nonheadache controls (179.24 ± 10.18, 451.22 ± 14.35, and 480.22 ± 13.98 ng/109 platelets, respectively; P <0.001). This biochemical result was well correlated with a significant decrease ( P 2/cells, respectively). As this canaliculi system plays a significant role in the platelet secretory response, such dilatation may imply an excessive release of substances from this system. Based on this platelet model, we suggest that excessive use of analgesics alters the central 5-HT system by depleting 5-HT from its storage sites and results in the hyposerotonergic state. This analgesic-induced 5-HT alteration may be a possible mechanism of headache transformation observed in this condition. |
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| Keywords: | serotonin headache migraine analgesic abuse platelet ultrastructure |
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