Peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor is related to cardiovascular risk factors in active and inactive elderly men

Abstract

Regular exercise plays an important preventive and therapeutic role in heart and vascular diseases, and beneficially affects brain function. In blood, the effects of exercise appear to be very complex and could include protection of vascular endothelial cells via neurotrophic factors and decreased oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to identify the age-related changes in peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its relationship to oxidative damage and conventional cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers, such as atherogenic index, C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and oxidized LDL (oxLDL), in active and inactive men. Seventeen elderly males (61-80 years) and 17 young males (20-24 years) participated in this study. According to the 6-min Åstrand-Rhyming bike test, the subjects were classified into active and inactive groups. The young and elderly active men had a significantly better lipoprotein profile and antioxidant status, as well as reduced oxidative damage and inflammatory state. The active young and elderly men had significantly higher plasma BDNF levels compared to their inactive peers. BDNF was correlated with VO2max (r=0.765, P<0.001). In addition, we observed a significant inverse correlation of BDNF with atherogenic index (TC/HDL), hsCRP and oxLDL. The findings demonstrate that a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness reflected in VO2max was associated with a higher level of circulating BDNF, which in turn was related to common CVD risk factors and oxidative damage markers in young and elderly men.

Exercise-Induced Regulation of Redox Status in Cardiovascular Diseases: The Role of Exercise Training and Detraining

“…Accordingly, Radak et al [281] showed that levels of 8-Oxoguanine (8-oxoG) in old inactive individuals are higher compared to their active counterparts, indicating that regular physical activity promotes an adaptive response that involves a more efficient antioxidant defense mechanism and DNA repair machinery. Interestingly, elderly inactive men exhibit significantly higher oxLDL and lower total plasma antioxidant status (TAS) compared to either young inactive or elderly active group [32]. In a recent work by Park and Kwak [176], there was no difference in resting oxidative stress levels and antioxidant capacity between untrained and trained (RE and endurance trained athletes) young men, however, the untrained ones exhibited significantly higher MDA and PC levels following an acute bout of exercise compared to trained ones.…”

“…CVD and endothelial dysfunction are characterized by a chronic inflammatory response and oxidative stress [31,32]. Oxidative stress is the driving force in the pathogenesis and Furthermore, numerous reports are indicate that ROS act as a stimulator of inflammation [17][18][19][20].…”

“…CVD and endothelial dysfunction are characterized by a chronic inflammatory response and oxidative stress [31,32]. Oxidative stress is the driving force in the pathogenesis and development of most CVDs, predisposing individuals to atherosclerotic manifestations and cardiovascular complications such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and cardiac myopathy [33].…”

“…In addition, lipid peroxidation is also actively involved in the peroxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) [37,[41][42][43], that when oxidized (i.e., oxidized LDL) plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis [44]. Moreover, Zembron-Lancy et al [32], have recently shown that levels of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), protein carbonyls (PC) and lipid peroxidases (LPO) were elevated in elderly men and were highly correlated with common CVD factors such as LDL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Framingham score. Thus, a vicious cycle of oxidative stress and oxidative stress-induced atherosclerosis is evident leading to development and propagation of atherosclerosis [45].…”

“…Maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) has been recently shown to be positively correlated with total antioxidant status [32]. However, the exercise-mediated adatations to antioxidant defense mechanism occurs progressively over time, as both ROS generation and markers of oxidative stress are elevated within the first few weeks of low-intensity exercise [163].…”