Vascular function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor: The functional capacity factor.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for neurocognitive function. This study aims at establishing a plausible link between level of serum BDNF, functional capacity (FC), and vascular function in 181 young (age 25.5±9.1 years old), apparently healthy adults. Fasting blood samples were drawn from participants' antecubital veins into plain glass tubes while they were in a sitting position to evaluate serum BDNF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mercury-in-silastic strain-gauge plethysmography was used to determine arterial function indices, blood flow and vascular resistance at rest and following 5 minutes of arterial ischemia. The 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test was used to determine FC, according to the American Thoracic Society Committee on Proficiency Standards for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories guidelines. It was conducted in an enclosed corridor on a flat surface with a circular track 33 meters long. The walking course was demarcated with bright colored cones. The 6MWD correlated with BDNF (r=0.3, p=0.000), as well as with forearm blood inflow (r=0.5, p=0.000) and vascular resistance (r = -0.4, p=0.000). Subsequent comparison showed that BDNF and blood inflow were greater (p<0.05) while vascular resistance was less (p<0.05) in participants who achieved a longer 6MWD. Similarly, BDNF correlated with forearm blood inflow (r=0.4, p=0.000) and vascular resistance (r = -0.4, p=0.000). Subsequent comparison showed improved vascular function (p<0.05) in the participants with greater BDNF. In conclusion, these findings might suggest that improved vascular function in individuals with greater FC is mediated, at least partially, by an enhanced serum BDNF level.
Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan Alomari@just.edu.jo.
Mahmoud A
MA
Alomari
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Omar F
OF
Khabour
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Abubakar
A
Maikano
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, King Abdulla Hospital, Irbid, Jordan.
Khaldoon
K
Alawneh
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010991:Plethysmography; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013997:Time Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human
6-minute walk test; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); blood flow; functional capacity; vascular resistance