Increased expression of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in dura and pia mater after air stress.

Stress is the leading precipitating factor for migraine attacks but the underlying mechanism is currently unknown. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in migraine pathogenesis based on the ability of NO donors to induce migraine attacks. In the present study, we investigated in Wistar rats the effect of air stress on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mRNA and protein expression in dura and pia mater using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively.