Acupuncture Decreases Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Activity in Patients with Migraine. Issue 5 (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cayir, Yasemin; Ozdemir, Gokhan; Celik, Mine; Aksoy, Hulya; Akturk, Zekeriya; Laloglu, Esra; Akcay, Fatih
• Is Part Of: Acupuncture in medicine. Volume 32:Issue 5(2014)
• Page Start: 376
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Acupuncture -- Periodicals; 615.892
• DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2014-010612
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-5284

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) level and activity in patients with migraine. Methods: After baseline testing, eligible patients with migraine according to the criteria of the International Headache Society who volunteered to join the study were included (n=27). The patients received 10 sessions of acupuncture treatment. The points selected were bilateral ST8, ST44, LI4, LI11, LIV3, SP6, GB1, GB14, GB20, GV14, GV20, Yintang, Taiyang and ear Shenmen . Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Short form-36 (SF-36) was used to determine their quality of life. Blood samples were taken before treatment and after the first and last sessions of acupuncture for measurement of MMP-2 concentration and activity. Results: The mean VAS was 85.5±16.6 before acupuncture and was significantly decreased to 39.8±20.6 after 10 sessions of acupuncture (p<0.0001). There was a significant increase in all SF-36 scores after acupuncture compared with values before treatment (p<0.0001). No significant differences were found in MMP-2 concentrations before treatment and after the first and last sessions (p>0.05). However, there were significant changes in MMP-2 activity (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The results of this study showed a clinically relevant decrease in MMP-2 activity in patients with migraine treated with acupuncture. The mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture in alleviating pain may be associated with a decrease in MMP-2 activity.