Migraine attack restores the response of vascular smooth muscle cells to nitric oxide but not to norepinephrine

Figure 1 Forearm blood flow response to infusion of acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside into the brachial artery in patients with migraine during or free from headache, and control subjects. The patients with migraine were studied during the interictal period (group M) or the headache attack (group MH). Data (mean ± SE) were analyzed by analysis of variance for repeated measures. P < 0.05 for the effect of migraine in the acetylcholine (Ach) test and P < 0.05 for the interaction between migraine and Ach. P < 0.005 for the effect of migraine in the nitroprusside test and P < 0.05 for the interaction between migraine and nitroprusside.

Figure 2 Individual forearm blood flow response to infusion of acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside into the brachial artery in two patients with migraine studied during or free from headache.

Figure 3 Forearm blood flow response to infusion of norepinephrine at the rate of 280 μg/L per minute into the brachial artery in patients with migraine during or free from headache, and control subjects. The patients with migraine were studied during the interictal period (group M) or the headache attack (group MH). Data (mean ± SE) were analyzed by paired t test vs baseline and unpaired t test among groups. ^bP < 0.01 vs baseline; ^cP < 0.05 vs controls.