Early work has highlighted that a large percentage of migraineurs may have an altered glucidic methabolis due to carbohydrate-induced hyperinsulinism. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of sucrose on biomarkers of energy metabolism and utilization in migraineous females. A total of 16 participants (8 = Migraine, 8 = Non-migraine) at the mid-point of their menstrual cycle underwent a 15-h fast prior to ingesting 75 g sucrose dissolved in 175 g water. Blood sampling for the assessment of serum insulin, serum cortisol and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and plasma glucose was conducted upon arrival at 09:00 h and then at regular 15-min intervals across a 150-min experimental period. The results showed a significant alteration in serum insulin and plasma glucose following sucrose ingestion in the migraine and non-migraine groups. In addition, significant group differences were observed in the level of serum insulin, serum DHEAS, and the cortisol:DHEAS ratio with migraine participants on average recording a higher sucrose-induced serum insulin level and lower DHEAS level and cortisol:DHEAS ratio when group data was compared. It was concluded that while sucrose consumption may potentiate serum insulin in migraineurs this does not result in the development of sucrose-induced hypoglycemia in migraine or non-migraine participants.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of sucrose on biomarkers of energy metabolismand utilization in migrainous men and women. A total of 20 participants (7=Migraine (female), 5=Migraine (male), 8=Non-migraine control) submitted to an oral sucrose tolerance test (OSTT), which required them to fast for 15 h overnight and then ingest 75 g sucrose dissolved in 175 g water at 9 AM the next morning. Blood sampling for the assessment of serum insulin, serum cortisol and plasma glucose was conducted upon arrival at 0900 h and then at regular 15-min intervals across a 150-min period. Comparison of insulin sensitivity indexes that rely on fasting glucose and insulin data failed to find evidence of insulin resistance in migraineurs or controls. Prior to sucrose consumption the level of fasting serum cortisol at 0-min on average was significantly higher in migraineurs. However, no significant group differences in the level of fasting serum insulin and plasma glucose at 0-min were noted. Following sucrose consumption: the level of serum insulin was significantly higher in female migraineurs; the level of serum cortisol was significantly higher in male migraineurs; glucose/insulin (G/ I) ratio was significantly higher in male migraineurs at 135-min and 150-min; insulin/cortisol (I/C) ratio was significantly differentwith the I/C ratio lower in male migraineurs and higher in female migraineurs; area under the curve (AUC) insulin was significantly different across groups with AUC insulin lower in male migraineurs and higher in female migraineurs; and AUC cortisol was significantly higher in male migraineurs. It was concluded that the effect of sucrose on biomarkers of energy metabolism and utilization in male and female migraineurs is not the same. Therefore, the factors underlying migraine pathogenesis in men and women may also be different.

The treatment and prevention of migraine within the last decade has become largely pharmacological. While there is little doubt that the advent of drugs (e.g. triptans) has helped many migraine sufferers to lead a normal life, there is still little knowledge with respect to the factors responsible for precipitating a migraine attack. Evidence from biochemical and behavioural studies from a number of disciplines is integrated to put forward the proposal that migraine is part of a cascade of events, which together act to protect the organism when confronted by a metabolic challenge.

The present study aims to investigate the contribution of alcohol toxicity to the development of disease by assessing the effect of consuming a moderate amount of wine immediately following a high-carbohydrate meal on plasma glucose, serum insulin, and serum IgA.