No Influence Of Administration Of A Selective Noradrenaline Re-uptake Inhibitor On The Acute Exerciseinduced Increase In Serum Bdnf In Healthy Men

Abstract

PURPOSE: Monoamines, especially noradrenaline, seem to be important in brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene regulation with exercise [1]. In animals, administration of reboxetine has already been shown to increase BDNF [2]. However, it is not known if the monoamine-induced increase in BDNF during exercise is also present in humans. Therefore, we examined the influence of a noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor on the exercise-induced increase in serum BDNF in humans. METHODS: Eleven well trained male subjects (age 22.9 ± 4.3 years; maximal power output (Wmax) 338.6 ± 31.8 W) performed 2 trials, consisting of 60 min cycling at of Wmax, followed by a time trial (TT) at 75% of Wattmax. The exercise was performed after having taken either reboxetine or placebo. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) on a Borg scale were measured. Blood samples were taken at 4 time points to analyze peripheral BDNF and cortisol. Data were analysed using ANOVA repeated measures (P<.05) and Duncan's multirange post hoc tests. TT performance was compared using a paired-t-test. RESULTS: Serum BDNF increased following exercise (P<.0001), but no additional effect of reboxetine was present. Following the exercise protocol, BDNF returned to resting levels after 15 min of recovery. Cortisol levels increased significantly following exercise (P<.0001). Under reboxetine treatment, cortisol levels were significantly higher at the end of the TT (P=.02) and after 15 min of recovery (P=.03). Athletes performed worse on the TT with reboxetine intake. CONCLUSIONS: Serum BDNF increases following strenuous acute exercise, but no additional influence on peripheral BDNF levels was seen with reboxetine treatment. Reboxetine, however, influenced cortisol levels during exercise and performance of the subjects. New studies should focus on the effect of regular physical activity in combination with antidepressants on BDNF levels. Acknowledgements: Researcher Goekint M. was supported as Aspirant by the Research Foundation (FWO) - Flanders. Research supported by the Research Council of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (OZR 607, OZR 990, OZR 1236).