Changes in serum BDNF levels associated with moderate-intensity exercise in healthy young Japanese men

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the influence of acute moderate-intensity exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in healthy young Japanese men. BDNF is one of a family of neurotrophic factors involved in neuronal transmission, modulation and plasticity. Previous human-based studies have demonstrated that acute exercise leads to increases in BDNF; however, to date there has been no study conducted among Japanese male subjects.MethodsForty young adult Japanese men (aged 24.1 ± 2.9 years) – reduced to a total of thirty three following subjection to exclusion criteria – performed 30 minutes of exercise at 60% of VO2max on a stationary bicycle. Serum BDNF was analyzed both before and after exercise.ResultsEighteen of the total thirty three subjects demonstrated an increase in serum BDNF after exercise. However, on aggregate, the change in serum BDNF associated with exercise was not significant (p = .17).ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate that serum BDNF levels are not consistently increased by acute moderate-intensity exercise in Japanese men. It is likely that something in the lifestyle and/or environment of male Japanese subjects underlies the difference between our findings and studies conducted in other countries.

Acute and Chronic Effects of Combined Training on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Its Association with Anthropometric Variables in Overweight Men

“…Also, the increase in its levels after the chronic training may be caused by the increase in gene expression and activating the transcription pathways. Therefore, increase in the Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, aside from its roles in neurogenesis and brain health, plays a critical role in central and periph- Inconsistent with our findings, some studies reported a decrease or no changes in the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor after physical activity (24)(25)(26)(27). This can be due to the effect of type and intensity of exercise, age and physical fitness levels and health status of individuals on the synthesis, as well as release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor into blood stream.…”

The Effect of High- and Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy on Serum Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Level and Motor Ability in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Single-Center Study

“…In the studies of Schmolesky et al and Cho et al that involves measuring and validating the basal serum of BDNF values stated that the levels of basal BDNF values were ranged from 22.94 ± 9.12 ng / mL -24.95 ± 7.28 ng / ml in healthy male and female populations [15]. Low serum BDNF levels are found in people with a tendency toward behavioral mental disorders, such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, memory disorders, and schizophrenia.…”

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations in tetraplegic athletes

“…Under the present test conditions, BDNF values of tetraplegic athletes at rest were slightly higher or rather at the upper limit in comparison with previously reported values in able-bodied subjects. 2,3,27 Knaepen et al 2 summarized a high variability in basal values of 1.5-30.9 ng ml − 1 in able-bodied subjects. The data by Rojas Vega et al 20 in paraplegic athletes were somewhat higher than those in our study (Table 1).…”