Kynurenines and PACAP in Migraine: Medicinal Chemistry and Pathogenetic Aspects

Title:Kynurenines and PACAP in Migraine: Medicinal Chemistry and Pathogenetic Aspects

Volume: 24 Issue: 13

Author(s): Janos Tajti, Delia Szok, Gabor Nagy-Grocz, Bernadett Tuka, Anna Petrovics-Balog, Jozsef Toldi and Laszlo Vecsei*

Affiliation:

• Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6., H-6725, Szeged,Hungary

Keywords: Glutamate, kynurenine, migraine, mode of action, pathomechanism, pituitary adenylate cyclaseactivating polypeptide.

Abstract: Background: Migraine is a highly disabling neurovascular primary headache disorder, with its exact pathomechanism being still unrevealed. The current leading hypotheses are based on the sensitization and activation of the trigeminovascular system.

Objective: To review the literature with focus on the effects of kynurenines (L-kynurenine and kynurenic acid) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide on the regulation of the trigeminovascular system.

Method: A literature search was conducted to identify preclinical and clinical publications (198 references) by using the keywords ‘kynurenines’, ‘pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide’, and ‘migraine’ in the database of MEDLINE/PubMed up to 10 September 2016 for topical review. Additional filters used included ‘review’, ‘systematic review’, ‘original article’, and ‘English language’.

Results: L-kynurenine and kynurenic acid act on the glutamatergic system at the level of the second-order nociceptive neurons in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis. Pituitary adenylate cyclase- activating polypeptide is released from the peripheral nerve endings of the trigeminal pseudounipolar neurons and causes vasodilation and mast cell degranulation, leading to consequent peripheral sensitization of the dural nociceptors. Centrally released pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis results in the central sensitization of the second-order neurons. The sensitization process leads to the characteristic features of migraine.

Conclusion: L-kynurenine, kynurenic acid, and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide may have fundamental roles in the initiation of migraine headache attacks.

Cite this article as:

Tajti Janos, Szok Delia, Nagy-Grocz Gabor, Tuka Bernadett, Petrovics-Balog Anna, Toldi Jozsef and Vecsei Laszlo*, Kynurenines and PACAP in Migraine: Medicinal Chemistry and Pathogenetic Aspects, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2017; 24 (13) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170227115019

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170227115019	Print ISSN 0929-8673
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1875-533X