The relationship between one-carbon metabolism and nitric oxide metabolism in pediatric patients with migraine and tension-type headache

Abstract Background Pediatric headache is a common neurological condition that adversely affects quality of life. Vitamin B12 is involved in homocysteine (Hcy) and methylmalonic acid (MMA) metabolism, and nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in neurovascular signaling. This study evaluated vitamin B12–related biomarkers and NO in pediatric migraine and tension-type headache (TTH). Methods The study included 39 migraine, 42 TTH and 29 control. Vitamin B12 and folic acid were measured using the Roche Cobas e601, Hcy were measured with the Shimadzu LC-20 HPLC, MMA were measured by a modified LC-MS/MS method, NO were measured using the Griess method. Results Hcy levels differed significantly between the migraine and control, as well as between the TTH and control ( p