Paraoxonase 1 gene polymorphisms, paraoxonase/arylesterase activities and oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with migraine

The vascular endothelial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) may impair endothelial function. Paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1) prevents oxidative modification of LDL cholesterol (LDL‐C). So we investigated serum PON‐1 and arylesterase (ARE) activities, PON‐1 55 L/M and 192Q/R polymorphisms and the serum lipid profile in patients with migraine. Biochemical parameters and PON‐1 polymorphism analyses were assessed in 104 patients with migraine and 86 healthy subjects. Ox‐LDL was detected by ELISA, and polymorphisms were determined using PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Patients with migraine had lower PON‐1 and ARE activities (p < 0·001, for both) and higher ox‐LDL and LDL‐C levels (p < 0·001, for both) and ox‐LDL: LDL‐C ratio (p < 0·005) than the controls. The genotype distribution and the allele frequencies for PON‐1 55 L/M and 192Q/R polymorphisms were not different among the study populations. The results of our current study indicate that migrainous patients have decreased serum PON‐1 and ARE activities and increased serum ox‐LDL levels, which may have a clinical importance in the treatment of migraine. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.