Association of serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and interleukin-6 with migraine

To investigate the associations of serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) with migraine and migraine subtypes, and to study their correlation with each other in this condition. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure serum levels of ICAM1 and IL-6 in 103 migraine patients with and without aura, in both attack and pain-free periods, and in 100 healthy control subjects. Serum levels of ICAM1 and IL-6 were significantly higher in migraine patients during attacks than in controls (p < 0.05). Serum ICAM1 levels were significantly higher in migraine with aura (MA) than in migraine without aura (MO), (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between serum levels of ICAM1 and IL-6 (p < 0.05) in migraine patients during attacks. Our results indicate that ICAM1 and IL-6 are involved in the pathogenesis of migraine attacks, possibly via an interactive mechanism.