Introduction: There continues to be a need for an objective method for the assessment of physiological mechanisms which manifest in response to spinal manipulation (SMT). Migraine is a disorder effectively treated by chiropractors using SMT, yet the mechanisms are poorly understood.
Objective: In order to develop a method, this study compared two non-invasive techniques, the collection of nasal lavage and saliva samples from migraineurs, for the purpose of measuring the differences of the inflammatory mediators leukotriene B4 (LTB4), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2).
Method: Eighteen subjects, 9 migraine patients sampled during migraine-free period and 9 controls, matched for age and gender, took part in one experimental session at which nasal lavage fluid and saliva samples were collected. These samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISA).
Results: The present study indicated a significant correlation of LTB4 and PGE2 levels obtained from either nasal lavage or saliva (LTB4: r18=.91; PGE2: r18=.95). Additionally, the study showed the levels of PGE2, TXB2, and LTB4 to be identical or even lower in the migraineurs compared to controls during the headache-free interval. Previous studies have demonstrated this phenomenon to be a result of increased uptake of arachidonic acid in the platelets during migraine attacks.
Conclusions: The study demonstrated that collecting inflammatory mediators using nasal lavage and saliva might easily be utilized to investigate the physiological effects of SMT on inflammatory mediators associated with migraine headache. Further controlled studies using the same method to specifically investigate the effects of SMT on these pain mediators are in progress
Learning Objectives: Discuss the usefulness/application of this new method for use in research addressing inflammatory/hyperalgesic conditions possibly amenable to chiropractic care.
Keywords: Chiropractic, Assessments
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.