Objective    To detect the expression of phosphatase and tensin (PTEN)

serine-threonine kinase (Akt) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in trigeminal ganglia of rats with migraine and to study its role in pathogenesis of migraine.     Methods    A rat model of migraine was established using glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). Expression of PTEN

Akt

and CREB at mRNA and protein levels in trigeminal ganglia was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry 1

4

12 and 24 h respectively

after the model was established.     Results    The expression level of PTEN was 0.42±0.07 and 0.19±0.02 respectively at 12 h (P0.05)

and was 3.09±0.21 and 0.45±0.05 at 24 h in experimental group

which was higher than that (1.00±0.07 and 0.36±0.02) in control group (P0.05). The expression level of Akt was 1.38±0.07 and 0.23±0.03

1.42±0.03 and 0.25±0.02 at 4 and 12 h

and was 0.88±0.15 and 0.15±0.063 at 24 h in experimental group

which was lower than that (1.00±0.07 and 0.43±0.03) in control group (P0.05). The expression level of CREB was significantly lower in experimental group than in control group (P0.05)

and was 0.42±0.14 and 0.27±0.05 (the lowest) at 24 h (P0.05). The expression of PTEN was negatively correlated to Akt (r=－0.671 and－0.563) and CREB (r=－0.484 and －0.430 or r=0.272 and －0.041) (P0.05).     Conclusion    Expression of PTEN

Akt and CREB in trigeminal ganglia of rats with migraine is changed at different time points. PTEN regulates the expression of Akt and CREB

thereby affecting synaptic plasticity

and is thus involved in pathogenesis of migraine.