Circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor and indices of metabolic and cardiovascular health: data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
BACKGROUND
Besides its well-established role in nerve cell survival and adaptive plasticity, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is also involved in energy homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation. Although BDNF is present in the systemic circulation, it is unknown whether plasma BDNF correlates with circulating markers of dysregulated metabolism and an adverse cardiovascular profile.


RESULTS
To determine whether circulating BDNF correlates with indices of metabolic and cardiovascular health, we measured plasma BDNF levels in 496 middle-age and elderly subjects (mean age approximately 70), in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Linear regression analysis revealed that plasma BDNF is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, regardless of age. In females, BDNF was positively correlated with BMI, fat mass, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol, and inversely correlated with folate. In males, BDNF was positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, free thiiodo-thyronine (FT3), and bioavailable testosterone, and inversely correlated with sex-hormone binding globulin, and adiponectin.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma BDNF significantly correlates with multiple risk factors for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular dysfunction. Whether BDNF contributes to the pathogenesis of these disorders or functions in adaptive responses to cellular stress (as occurs in the brain) remains to be determined.
Golden
Erin
E
Cellular and Molecular Neurosciences Section, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
Emiliano
Ana
A
Maudsley
Stuart
S
Windham
B Gwen
BG
Carlson
Olga D
OD
Egan
Josephine M
JM
Driscoll
Ira
I
Ferrucci
Luigi
L
Martin
Bronwen
B
Mattson
Mark P
MP
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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