The role of platelets in migraine

Bioprospection of Native Antagonistic Rhizobacteria From the Peruvian Coastal Ecosystems Associated with Phaseolus vulgaris

Phaseolus vulgaris is originally from the American continent. It is renowned as one of the preferred legume choice in the Peruvian market, due to its high content of nutrients. The Peruvian coast valleys are key-production areas for local varieties of the common bean crops. Soil-borne plant pathogens, however, favored by soil and environmental conditions, may reduce crop production. The aim of this study was to conduct a bio prospection of the antagonistic native bacteria of the north, south and central part of the coastal areas related to the common bean. A collection of 26 strains isolated from the rhizosphere of common bean plants showed high potential to control the growth of Sclerotinia, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia due to the production of both volatile and non-volatile organic compounds. Most of the strains were able to suppress fungal growth due to the presence of non-volatile organic compounds, such as hydrolytic enzymes, siderophores and antifungal lipopeptide production. Bacillus IcBac2.1 strain showed a remarkable ability to halt the majority of phytopathogens producing antifungal lipopeptides. The crude lipopeptides were soluble in polar solvents and remained stable at high temperatures and low pH. Strains were also able to inhibit fungal growth through volatile organic compounds. Alcaligenes TvPs2.4 and Pseudomonas TvPs1.6 showed the highest inhibition strength against the tested phytopathogens. Each strain produced 21 volatile organic compounds detected by SPME/GC-MS analysis. The compounds with the highest concentration were dimethyl disulfide and D-limonene. The 16S rRNA gene sequence confirmed that the strains were closely related to Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Achromobacter, Pseudomonas, Serratia and Alcaligenes.

Migraine treatment with calcium channel blockers

Irrespective of their mechanism of action, which so far has not been clarified, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have a documented prophylactic effect on classical and common migraine, as well as on cluster headache. The drugs may reduce migraine prodromes, the frequency of migraine attacks, and also decrease the severity and possibly the duration of these attacks. Notably, their optimum effect is often seen after more than 2 months of treatment. Side effects seem to be few and mild. Whether or not there are differences in therapeutic efficacy between different CCBs is presently unclear. As comparisons with other alternatives of treatment are sparse, the place of CCBs in migraine therapy remains to be established.

Platelet models and their possible usefulness in the study of migraine pathogenesis

Platelets may be linked to migraine. On the one hand they are activated during the migraine attack and thus may participate in the pathogenesis of the disorder (the nature of this activation is still unknown). In order to understand this platelet anomaly, we discuss the data available in the literature. In particular, we review recent in vitro studies of alpha-granules and dense bodies secretion, and aggregation induced by collagen and PAF. On the other hand, platelets share many metabolic characteristics with serotonergic neurons and endothelial cells. Accordingly, platelets have been used to investigate the possible role of serotonin turnover and nitric oxide function in migraine. In both cases, the data obtained have shown peculiar abnormalities that may explain pathogenetic and clinical aspects of primary headache.

Platelet activation in muscle contraction headache and migraine

In migraine, the role of platelets is regarded as an important factor. We investigated plasma beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in migraine patients and muscle contraction headache (MCH) patients during headache-free periods. The mean values of the plasma BTG, PF4, and 5-HT concentrations in the migraine group and the MCH group were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. The mean value of the plasma BTG concentration was significantly higher in the migraine group than in the MCH group, but the differences in the mean plasma PF4 and 5-HT concentrations between the two groups were not significant. Continuous platelet activation exists in both MCH patients and migraine patients. From the biochemical point of view, we have provided evidence for a similarity between migraine and MCH.