Soluble guanylate cyclase induces cranial vasodilation and headache in adults: a randomized trial.

ABSTRACT: The role of cranial vasodilation in headache pathogenesis sparks ongoing debate. Soluble guanylate cyclase is an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of guanosine triphosphate to cyclic guanosine monophosphate, leading to relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Activation of this pathway might contribute to headache pathogenesis. We evaluated whether oral ingestion of riociguat, a stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase, could elicit cranial vasodilation and headache in healthy adults. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study, we enrolled 12 healthy adults (nine females, three males; mean age 27.3 (SD 7.8) years). The participants attended two experimental sessions at a single site in Denmark (Danish Headache Center, Rigshospitalet, Denmark), receiv

SUBMITTER: Rasmussen NB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12663088 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature