Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are associated with dyssomnia in females, but not males, among Japanese workers.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors that promote the growth and survival of neurons. Recent evidence suggests that BDNF is a sleep regulatory substance that contributes to sleep behavior. However, no studies have examined the association between the serum BDNF levels and dyssomnia. The present study was conducted to clarify the association between the serum BDNF levels and dyssomnia. METHODS: A total of 344 workers (age: 40.1 ± 10.5 years, male: 204, female: 140) were included in the study. The serum BDNF levels were categorized into tertiles according to sex. RESULTS: The prevalence of dyssomnia was 35.1% in males and 30.0% in females. In the females, the BDNF levels were found to be negatively associated with dyssomnia after adjusting for age, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, depression, smoking, alcohol intake, and regular exercise. Compared with the females in the high BDNF group, the multivariate odds ratio (95% CI) of dyssomnia was 2.08 (0.62-6.98) in females in the moderate BDNF group and 8.41 (2.05-27.14) in females in the low BDNF group. No such relationships were found in the males. CONCLUSIONS: The serum BDNF levels are associated with dyssomnia in Japanese female, but not male, workers.

Different circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor responses to acute exercise between physically active and sedentary subjects.

UNLABELLED: Although circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level is affected by both acute and chronic physical activity, the interaction of acute and chronic physical activity was still unclear. In this study, we compared the serum and plasma BDNF responses to maximal and submaximal acute exercises between physically active and sedentary subjects. Eight active and 8 sedentary female subjects participated in the present study. Both groups performed 3 exercise tests with different intensities, i.e. 100% (maximal), 60% (moderate) and 40% (low) of their peak oxygen uptake. In each exercise test, blood samples were taken at the baseline and immediately, 30 and 60 min after the test. The serum BDNF concentration was found to significantly increase immediately after maximal and moderate exercise tests in both groups. In maximal exercise test, the pattern of change in the serum BDNF concentration was different between the groups. While the serum BDNF level for the sedentary group returned to the baseline level during the recovery phase, the BDNF levels for the active group decreased below the baseline level after the maximal exercise test. No group differences were observed in the pattern of plasma BDNF change for all exercise tests. These findings suggest that regular exercise facilitates the utilization of circulating BDNF during and/or after acute exercise with maximal intensity. KEY POINTS: In maximal exercise test, the pattern of change in the serum BDNF concentration was different between the groups.While the serum BDNF level for the sedentary group returned to the baseline level during the recovery phase, the BDNF levels for the active group decreased below the baseline level after the maximal exercise test.No group differences were observed in the pattern of serum BDNF change for moderate or low exercise tests.No group differences were observed in the pattern of plasma BDNF change for all exercise tests.

Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in trained men.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of physical activity on the level of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The serum BDNF level in trained men who have participated in regular sport activity (n=12) was compared to that in sedentary subjects (n=14). The physical activity levels expressed as total energy expenditure, move-related energy expenditure and walking count in the trained were significantly higher than those in the sedentary. The serum BDNF level in the trained men was found to be lower than that in the sedentary (19.54+/-4.53 ng/ml vs. 23.63+/-2.94 ng/ml, respectively, P<0.01). The serum BDNF level showed a significant negative correlation with daily total energy expenditure (r=-0.507, P<0.05), movement-related energy expenditure (r=-0.503, P<0.05), and walking count (r=-0.480, P<0.05). These results may suggest that vigorous habitual physical activity decrease the serum BDNF level.