Serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein and vitamin D receptor in migraine patients from central Anatolia region.

Abstract

Inflammation is proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of both vitamin D deficiency and migraine. However, the data examining the relation of vitamin D with migraine are limited. We aimed to investigate the serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in combination, in migraine patients from central Anatolia region. Fifty-two newly diagnosed migraine patients and age- and sex-matched 49 control subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional prospective study. Migraine diagnosis was settled according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II diagnostic criteria. Serum samples were analysed for the measurement of vitamin D, VDBP and VDR levels by using commercial enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay kits. Serum vitamin D and VDR levels were found to be significantly lower in migraine patients than in controls (p=0.012 and p=0.038, respectively); whereas serum VDBP levels were similar between the groups (p>0.05). There was no correlation between serum vitamin D, VDBP and VDR levels and headache characteristics including aura, attack severity, frequency and duration, and disease duration (p>0.05). In terms of headache characteristics, no significant difference between migraineurs with vitamin D values <25 and ≥25ng/ml was observed (p>0.05). The present findings may suggest that decreased serum vitamin D levels were associated with migraine.