Plasma levels of cAMP, cGMP and CGRP in sildenafil-induced headache

What Was Tested

This controlled clinical trial looks at CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide).

The aim of the present study was to determine whether the pain-inducing effects of sildenafil would be reflected in plasma levels of important signalling molecules in migraine: cGMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

Why It Was Studied

Plasma levels of CGRP, cAMP and cGMP were determined in blood from the antecubital vein.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 10 patients were involved.

The age groups tagged for this paper are adults, both men and women.

How the Study Was Run

The researchers set it up as a double-blind, placebo-controlled and crossover study.

Neither the patients nor the staff measuring them knew who was on CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide), so expectations could not easily colour the readings.

Some patients received a placebo instead of CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide), giving a reference point.

Each person switched between CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) and the comparison at some point, usually with a gap in between.

What Was Measured

Plasma levels of CGRP, cAMP and cGMP were determined in blood from the antecubital vein.

The subject headings attached to it are Analysis of Variance, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide, Cyclic AMP, Cyclic GMP, Headache, Migraine without Aura and Piperazines.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a double-blind, placebo-controlled and crossover study of CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) in 10 patients.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 2004 (Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache), a journal based in England.

More context: the CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) compound page, all human trials.