Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum concentration and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in patients with peripheral artery disease: the importance of heart failure

Abstract

Introduction: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism have been associated with cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure (CHF), hypertension and ischaemic heart disease (IHD). To the authors' knowledge, such connections have not been described in peripheral artery disease (PAD) yet.Material and methods: 159 PAD subjects and 57 controls were included. All enrolled subjects underwent evaluation of clinical status. Information on comorbidities such as diabetes type 2, hypertension, IHD and CHF, was gathered. Serum concentrations of BDNF were measured by ELISA. Genotypes of the BDNF-AS SNP rs6265 were determined using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay.Results: PAD patients had significantly lower BDNF serum concentrations compared to controls (median values of 7.2 vs. 35.1 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Concentrations were significantly lower in patients with concomitant CHF (P < 0.05). The CHF subgroup was characterised by a greater prevalence of diabetes and ischaemic heart disease (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between BDNF serum concentrations and other comorbidities, ABI, and medical history including disease duration and past interventions. No important correlations were found for BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Conclusions:The present study adds to the body of evidence associating BDNF and atherosclerosis. The serum BDNF concentrations were lower in PAD, especially in a subgroup with comorbid CHF. These results suggest that a larger cardiovascular burden is connected with decreased BDNF serum concentrations.No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that BDNF gene polymorphism may be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as PAD.