Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Association among basal serum BDNF, cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular disease risk factors in untrained healthy Korean men

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Evidence suggests that serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (serum BDNF) can be affected by cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), but this relationship is far from clear. Recent reports show an inverse relationship between serum BDNF and CRF in healthy individuals, and other studies suggest a possible association between serum BDNF and cardiovascular disease. However, the possible interaction between serum BDNF, CRF, and cardiovascular disease risk has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to examine the association among serum BDNF, CRF, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy men. The investigation involved a large sample of men (n = 995, age range: 20–76 years) who live in the central area of South Korea and were recruited into the Preventive Health Study. Our study showed a significant inverse relationship between serum BDNF and relative VO2max (r = −0.412, p < 0.0001) and heart rate reserve (r = −0.194, p < 0.0001). Serum BDNF was positively correlated with body mass index (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001), total cholesterol (r = 0.185, p < 0.0001), and triglyceride (r = 0.320, p < 0.0001). Our data suggest that serum BDNF may be associated with effects of increased CRF on cardiovascular disease. However, more research is clearly needed before a determination of whether, and to what extent, serum BDNF may be responsible for some of the health benefits associated with CRF.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arancio O, Chao MV (2007) Neurotrophins, synaptic plasticity and dementia. Curr Opin Neurobiol 17:325–330

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes DE, Whitmer RA, Yaffe K (2007) Physical activity and dementia: the need for prevention trials. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 35:24–29

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berchtold NC, Chinn G, Chou M, Kesslak JP, Cotman CW (2005) Exercise primes a molecular memory for brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein induction in the rat hippocampus. Neuroscience 133:853–861

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chan KL, Tong KY, Yip SP (2008) Relationship of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and health-related lifestyle in healthy human subjects. Neurosci Lett 447:124–128

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen MJ, Russo-Neustadt AA (2009) Running exercise-induced up-regulation of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor is CREB-dependent. Hippocampus 19:962–972

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Currie J, Ramsbottom R, Ludlow H, Nevill A, Gilder M (2009) Cardio-respiratory fitness, habitual physical activity and serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in men and women. Neurosci Lett 451:152–155

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duman RS, Monteggia LM (2006) A neurotrophic model for stress-related mood disorders. Biol Psychiatry 59:1116–1127

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duman CH, Schlesinger L, Russell DS, Duman RS (2008) Voluntary exercise produces antidepressant and anxiolytic behavioral effects in mice. Brain Res 1199:148–158

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ejiri J, Inoue N, Kobayashi S, Shiraki R, Otsui K, Honjo T, Takahashi M, Ohashi Y, Ichikawa S, Terashima M, Mori T, Awano K, Shinke T, Shite J, Hirata K, Yokozaki H, Kawashima S, Yokoyama M (2005) Possible role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. Circulation 112:2114–2120

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fujinami A, Ohta K, Obayashi H, Fukui M, Hasegawa G, Nakamura N, Kozai H, Imai S, Ohta M (2008) Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Relationship to glucose metabolism and biomarkers of insulin resistance. Clin Biochem 41:812–817

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fumagalli F, Racagni G, Riva MA (2006) The expanding role of BDNF: a therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease? Pharmacogenomics J 6:8–15

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gold SM, Schulz KH, Hartmann S, Mladek M, Lang UE, Hellweg R, Reer R, Braumann KM, Heesen C (2003) Basal serum levels and reactivity of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor to standardized acute exercise in multiple sclerosis and controls. J Neuroimmunol 138:99–105

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holsinger RM, Schnarr J, Henry P, Castelo VT, Fahnestock M (2000) Quantitation of BDNF mRNA in human parietal cortex by competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction: decreased levels in Alzheimer’s disease. Brain Res Mol Brain Res 76:347–354

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hulmi JJ, Myllymaki T, Tenhumaki M, Mutanen N, Puurtinen R, Paulsen G, Mero AA (2010) Effects of resistance exercise and protein ingestion on blood leukocytes and platelets in young and older men. Eur J Appl Physiol 109:343–353

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Komulainen P, Pedersen M, Hanninen T, Bruunsgaard H, Lakka TA, Kivipelto M, Hassinen M, Rauramaa TH, Pedersen BK, Rauramaa R (2008) BDNF is a novel marker of cognitive function in ageing women: the DR’s EXTRA Study. Neurobiol Learn Mem 90:596–603

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krabbe KS, Nielsen AR, Krogh-Madsen R, Plomgaard P, Rasmussen P, Erikstrup C, Fischer CP, Lindegaard B, Petersen AM, Taudorf S, Secher NH, Pilegaard H, Bruunsgaard H, Pedersen BK (2007) Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia 50:431–438

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lerman J, Bruce RA, Sivarajan E, Pettet GE, Trimble S (1976) Low-level dynamic exercises for earlier cardiac rehabilitation: aerobic and hemodynamic responses. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 57:355–360

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lommatzsch M, Braun A, Renz H (2003) Neurotrophins in allergic airway dysfunction: what the mouse model is teaching us. Ann N Y Acad Sci 992:241–249

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lommatzsch M, Zingler D, Schuhbaeck K, Schloetcke K, Zingler C, Schuff-Werner P, Virchow JC (2005) The impact of age, weight and gender on BDNF levels in human platelets and plasma. Neurobiol Aging 26:115–123

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McAllister AK, Katz LC, Lo DC (1999) Neurotrophins and synaptic plasticity. Annu Rev Neurosci 22:295–318

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer AM, Evenson KR, Couper DJ, Stevens J, Pereria MA, Heiss G (2008) Television, physical activity, diet, and body weight status: the ARIC cohort. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 5:68

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mowla SJ, Farhadi HF, Pareek S, Atwal JK, Morris SJ, Seidah NG, Murphy RA (2001) Biosynthesis and post-translational processing of the precursor to brain-derived neurotrophic factor. J Biol Chem 276:12660–12666

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nagahara AH, Merrill DA, Coppola G, Tsukada S, Schroeder BE, Shaked GM, Wang L, Blesch A, Kim A, Conner JM, Rockenstein E, Chao MV, Koo EH, Geschwind D, Masliah E, Chiba AA, Tuszynski MH (2009) Neuroprotective effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rodent and primate models of Alzheimer’s disease. Nat Med 15:331–337

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakahashi T, Fujimura H, Altar CA, Li J, Kambayashi J, Tandon NN, Sun B (2000) Vascular endothelial cells synthesize and secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor. FEBS Lett 470:113–117

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nofuji Y, Suwa M, Moriyama Y, Nakano H, Ichimiya A, Nishichi R, Sasaki H, Radak Z, Kumagai S (2008) Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in trained men. Neurosci Lett 437:29–32

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Callaghan RM, Griffin EW, Kelly AM (2009) Long-term treadmill exposure protects against age-related neurodegenerative change in the rat hippocampus. Hippocampus 19:1019–1029

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pacy PJ, Webster J, Garrow JS (1986) Exercise and obesity. Sports Med 3:89–113

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pan W, Banks WA, Fasold MB, Bluth J, Kastin AJ (1998) Transport of brain-derived neurotrophic factor across the blood–brain barrier. Neuropharmacology 37:1553–1561

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen BK (2009) Edward F. Adolph distinguished lecture: muscle as an endocrine organ: IL-6 and other myokines. J Appl Physiol 107:1006–1014

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pickering TG, Hall JE, Appel LJ, Falkner BE, Graves J, Hill MN, Jones DW, Kurtz T, Sheps SG, Roccella EJ (2005) Recommendations for blood pressure measurement in humans and experimental animals. Part 1. Blood pressure measurement in humans: a statement for professionals from the Subcommittee of Professional and Public Education of the American Heart Association Council on High Blood Pressure Research. Hypertension 45:142–161

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prentice AM, Jebb SA (2001) Beyond body mass index. Obes Rev 2:141–147

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raffaelli F, Nanetti L, D’Angelo M, Montecchiani G, Alidori A, Montesi L, Faloia E, Vignini A, Mazzanti L (2009) Interactions between lipoproteins and platelet membranes in obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring) 17:1375–1380

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen P, Brassard P, Adser H, Pedersen MV, Leick L, Hart E, Secher NH, Pedersen BK, Pilegaard H (2009) Evidence for a release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from the brain during exercise. Exp Physiol 94:1062–1069

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rojas Vega S, Struder HK, Vera Wahrmann B, Schmidt A, Bloch W, Hollmann W (2006) Acute BDNF and cortisol response to low intensity exercise and following ramp incremental exercise to exhaustion in humans. Brain Res 1121:59–65

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ruscheweyh R, Willemer C, Kruger K, Duning T, Warnecke T, Sommer J, Volker K, Ho HV, Mooren F, Knecht S, Floel A (2009) Physical activity and memory functions: an interventional study. Neurobiol Aging 30(7):1114–1124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seifert T, Brassard P, Wissenberg M, Rasmussen P, Nordby P, Stallknecht B, Adser H, Jakobsen AH, Pilegaard H, Nielsen HB, Secher NH (2009) Endurance training enhances BDNF release from the human brain. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 298:R372–R377

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sen S, Duman R, Sanacora G (2008) Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, depression, and antidepressant medications: meta-analyses and implications. Biol Psychiatry 64:527–532

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel GJ (2006) Basic neurochemistry: molecular, cellular, and medical aspects. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Sui X, LaMonte MJ, Laditka JN, Hardin JW, Chase N, Hooker SP, Blair SN (2007) Cardiorespiratory fitness and adiposity as mortality predictors in older adults. JAMA 298:2507–2516

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tang SW, Chu E, Hui T, Helmeste D, Law C (2008) Influence of exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations in healthy human subjects. Neurosci Lett 431:62–65

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yaffe K, Barnes D, Nevitt M, Lui LY, Covinsky K (2001) A prospective study of physical activity and cognitive decline in elderly women: women who walk. Arch Intern Med 161:1703–1708

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yarrow JF, White LJ, McCoy SC, Borst SE (2010) Training augments resistance exercise induced elevation of circulating brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Neurosci Lett 479:161–165

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yasutake C, Kuroda K, Yanagawa T, Okamura T, Yoneda H (2006) Serum BDNF, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels in dementia patients: comparison between Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 256:402–406

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zoladz JA, Pilc A, Majerczak J, Grandys M, Zapart-Bukowska J, Duda K (2008) Endurance training increases plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration in young healthy men. J Physiol Pharmacol 59(Suppl 7):119–132

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Korea Research Foundation Grant from the Korean Government (KRF-2008-357-G00003).

Conflict of interest

We have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychoneuroimmunology of Exercise and Nutrition Laboratory, Division of Applied Physiology, Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Seung Ho Jung & J. Mark Davis

  2. Division of Health Aspects of Physical Activity, Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Jongkyu Kim & Steven N. Blair

  3. Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Department of Physical Education, College of Sports Sciences, Yong-in University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

    Hyun-chul Cho

Authors
  1. Seung Ho Jung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jongkyu Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Mark Davis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Steven N. Blair
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hyun-chul Cho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jongkyu Kim.

Additional information

Communicated by Keith George.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jung, S.H., Kim, J., Davis, J.M. et al. Association among basal serum BDNF, cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular disease risk factors in untrained healthy Korean men. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 303–311 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1658-5

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1658-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation