Connecting Resolvin, inflammation, Migraine and Omega-3?

There is new and exciting research just published that something called Resolvin E1 suppresses chronic inflammatory processes in the body, especially asthma (which the study specifically targets). The drug company sponsoring the study also mentioned the possible use of Resolvin E1 in other chronic inflammatory processes such as Inflammatory Bowel, Rheumatoid arthritis, Atherosclerosis and other diseases.

This reminded me of a Community post on Neuralgia and the published idea that Migraine could be a neuro-inflammatory process, as well as my own experience with steroids and anti-inflammatories in preventing and treating some of my own Migraine attacks. Those treatments were largely successful for me, but I couldn't continue on the meds because of serious contra-indications like Osteoporosis and side-effects including eosinophilia.

I decided to do some digging...

It's clear that inflammation is often part of some Migraine attacks (see above link) and the effectiveness of anti-inflammatories including the use of steroids to break severe Migraine or Status Migrainous, seems to bear that out. So what about this new drug Resolvin E1? Could it help the inflammation aspect of Migraine in some people (and selfishly, myself) ?

This is what I found, and it's an enlightening and exciting read:

Resolvyx (the company sponsoring the study) is apparently advancing Resolvin drug candidates into clinical trials in the very near future. So, now I'm hoping maybe there might be another new and different anti-inflammatory on the market soon... Hoorah!!...and I continue the search (It's a bit confusing so I'll highlight first, and detail later).

The highlights are:

*Resolvin is a natural compound that prevents and treats inflammation. It's produced when we eat Omega-3's.
*Resolvin (the drug) will probably be able to help in a huge number of inflammatory conditions, when/if it comes out.
*Omega-3's and anti-inflammatories are shown to help prevent and ease Migraines.
*Though no connection has been made or published yet, my crystal ball says to keep an eye on Resolvin and Protectin for Migraine.

Here are the intriguing details

Resolvin E1 is a metabolic molecule generated by the body in response to inflammation by the oxidation of the Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It's called Resolvin because its presence was discovered during the resolution phase of the inflammatory process. (A neuroprotective called Protectin, or NPD1, is related to Resolvin)

Omega-3's are found in cold water fish such as Salmon and Mackerel and is easily available as a nutritional supplement. That's right, the same stuff my Neuro has been talking about recently that has had some good success in Migraine prevention already. The National Headache Foundation shows overwhelming evidence in this RESEARCH that Omega-3's can significantly reduce Migraine frequency and intensity with a 40-50% (respectively) reduction in their headache scores. Could Resolvin be part of the key to that terrific response?

This Therapeutics Daily release actually explains how Resolvin E1 (RvE1) works to block inflammation, something even my Neurologist didn't know. My Endocrinologist also knew the possibility of Omega-3's helping with thyroid inflammation, but didn't know how it worked specifically. Neither knew of the current research on them.

Resolvyx explains:

"Experimental evidence to date indicates a significant potential for the EPA derived RvE1 in managing both acute and chronic inflammation with particularly strong evidence in models of colitis, periodontitis, and arthritis including profound disease modifying properties. In other experimental conditions administration of the DHA analog NPD1 prevented ischemia induced brain damage, prevented stress induced apoptosis of retinal epithelial cells, and accelerated the recovery of corneal epithelial lesions."

The company calls Resolvin E1 the 'missing link' between Omega-3's and actually controlling pathological inflammatory response. It is extremely potent and does not suppress the immune system. It is a chemical already present in our bodies in small amounts, so it will be interesting to learn about toxicity and side-effects.

I could find no written link between Resolvin E1 and Migraine, so I suppose this is a first (and sticking my neck out) but the connection seems clear to me. We'll see what others think as research continues.


My own musings:

*I'm glad the drug company is looking specifically at Resolvin E1 because it may help people, thought I'm wondering if simple and consistent supplementation with Omega-3's might help many of us in the interim of their drug development.

*Why don't all the docs in all these specialties talk among themselves so all know what is going on with treatments they might share?




Sources: Medical News Today, PharmaLive.com, PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Food and Behavior Research, American Headache Foundation, book: Migraine: A Neuroinflammatory Disease? By Egilius L. H. Spierings, ...