title: Evaluation of the effect of caloric restriction on serum BDNF in overweight and obese subjects: preliminary evidences.
abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a new element related with insulin resistance and obesity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of a 3-month reduced-calorie diet (RCD) on serum BDNF concentrations in overweight and obese subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen healthy overweight and obese subjects of both sexes (24 - 48 years, BMI 34.6 +/- 1.1 kg/m2).
  
  
  METHODS
  Anthropometry, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), lipid levels, and serum BDNF were measured at baseline and at the end of the third month. Reduced-calorie diet was defined as a 25% reduction in energy intake composed of: 55% carbohydrates, 20% proteins, and 25% fat (less than 10% saturated fat and over 10% nonsaturated fat). Refined sugar was not allowed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant decrease in BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, fasting glucose, post-OGTT glucose levels, area under the curve of glucose, and HOMA2-IR after 3 months of RCD. Serum BDNF showed a significant increase (3.97 +/- 0.87 to 6.75 +/- 1.62 ng/ml, P = 0.02). Final serum BDNF correlated negatively with weight (r = -0.51, P = 0.03), and basal post-OGTT insulin correlated positively with final serum BDNF (r = 0.48, P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum BDNF increases in insulin-resistant overweight and obese subjects after three months on a RCD. This observation could indicate that BDNF may be modulated in humans through diet composition.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Chile Clinical Hospital, Santos Dumont 999, Independencia, Santiago, Chile. varaya@redclinicauchile.cl
authors.forename: A Veronica
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Araya
authors.forename: Ximena
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Orellana
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Espinoza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor