Influence of tumor necrosis factor alpha gene promoter polymorphisms and its serum level on migraine susceptibility in Egyptian patients

• TNF-α-308 polymorphisms were associated with migraine, MA, or MO.
• TNF-α-857 polymorphisms were associated with migraine, MA, or MO.
• TNF-α-238 polymorphism wasn't associated with migraine, MA, or MO.
• TNF-α levels were significantly higher in patients as compared to controls.
• Serum TNF-α level was increased in TNF-α-308 GA or AA genotypes.

BackgroundMigraine is a common chronic neurological disorder with still largely unknown pathogenesis. We aimed to explore the possible role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms as risk factors of migraine, and whether they influence the TNF-α level.Materials and methodsTwo hundred patients with migraine and 200 controls were enrolled in this study. Polymorphisms of TNF-α gene were detected using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Serum TNF-α level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsTNF-α-308 GA, AA genotypes and A allele, TNF-α-857 CT genotype and T allele were associated with increased risk of migraine, while the TNF-α-238 polymorphism was not. TNF-α-308 GA, AA genotypes and A allele or AA genotype were associated with increased risk of migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) respectively; this was more significant in female patients with MA than in males. TNF-α-857 CT genotype was associated with increased risk of MO, or MA in females or males. While -857T allele was significantly associated with MO or MA in males and with MA only in females. On the other hand, we didn't find any significant associations of TNF-α-238 polymorphism with MO, or MA in males or females. TNF-α levels were higher in patients with migraine, MA, or MO than in controls (P < 0.001).ConclusionTNF-α polymorphisms were associated with migraine, MA, or MO in Egyptians.