Sex-Specific Associations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the General Population.

Marie-Lena Schmalhofer,Henry Völzke,Stephanie Könemann,Matthias Nauck,Sven Gläser,Kristin Wenzel,Jan C Gras,Ina Eiffler,Antje Steveling,Marcus Dörr,Martin Bahls,Juliane Kopp,Nele Friedrich,Ralf Ewert,Stephan B Felix,Deborah Janowitz,Diana Albrecht,Hans‐Jörgen Grabe ,Stefan Groß ,Marcello Ricardo Paulista Markus

doi:10.3390/biom9100630

Abstract

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was initially considered to be neuron-specific. Meanwhile, this neurotrophin is peripherally also secreted by skeletal muscle cells and increases due to exercise. Whether BDNF is related to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is currently unclear. We analyzed the association of serum BDNF levels with CRF in the general population (Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-TREND) from Northeast Germany; n = 1607, 51% female; median age 48 years). Sex-stratified linear regression models adjusted for age, height, smoking, body fat, lean mass, physical activity, and depression analyzed the association between BDNF and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak), maximal oxygen consumption normalized for body weight (VO2peak/kg), and oxygen consumption at the anaerobic threshold (VO2@AT). In women, 1 mL/min higher VO2peak, VO2peak/kg, and VO2@AT were associated with a 2.43 pg/mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16 to 3.69 pg/mL; p = 0.0002), 150.66 pg/mL (95% CI: 63.42 to 237.90 pg/mL; p = 0.0007), and 2.68 pg/mL (95% CI: 0.5 to 4.8 pg/mL; p = 0.01) higher BDNF serum concentration, respectively. No significant associations were found in men. Further research is needed to understand the sex-specific association between CRF and BDNF.

Highlights

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophic family of growth factors
The VO2 peak quartiles were significantly different considering the prevalence of Body mass index (BMI), smoking, physical inactivity, major depressive disorders, lean mass, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
Differences between quartiles were found for BMI, smoking, physical inactivity, fat mass, lean mass, and HDL cholesterol

Summary

Introduction

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophic family of growth factors. BDNF is essential for the differentiation, survival, and maintenance of neurons [1] It is not neuron-specific, but is found in and synthesized by endothelial [2] and skeletal muscle cells [3]. Recent research demonstrated an association between low BDNF levels and an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases [6]. Since BDNF is secreted by contracting skeletal muscle cells, exercise and CRF may influence the synthesis of this neurotrophin [11]. This is supported by earlier studies, which demonstrated increased levels of BDNF in the peripheral blood after exercise training [12,13,14,15].

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