Correlation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor to cognitive impairment following traumatic brain injury in rats

BACKGROUND: In vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can promote survival and differentiation of cholinergic, dopaminergic and motor neurons, and axonal regeneration. BDNF has neuroprotective effects on the nervous system. OBJECTIVE: To explore changes in BDNF expression and cognitive function in rats after brain injury DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The neuropathology experiment was performed at the Second Research Room, Department of Neurosurgery, Fujian Medical University (China) from July 2007 to July 2008. MATERIALS: A total of 72 healthy, male, Sprague Dawley, rats were selected for this study. METHODS: Rat models of mild and moderate traumatic brain injury were created by percussion, according to Feeney's method (n = 24, each group). A bone window was made in rats from the sham operation group (n = 24), but no attack was conducted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At days 1,2, 4 and 7 following injury, BDNF expression in the rat frontal lobe cortex, hippocampus and basal forebrain was examined by immunohistochemistry (streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method). Changes in rat cognitive function were assessed by the walking test, balance-beam test and memory function detection. RESULTS: Cognitive impairment was aggravated at day 2, and recovered to normal at days 3 and 7 in rats from the mild and moderate traumatic brain injury groups. BDNF expression in the rat frontal lobe cortex, hippocampus and basal forebrain was increased at 1 day, decreased at day 2, and then gradually increased in the mild and moderate traumatic brain injury groups. BDNF expression was greater in rats from the moderate traumatic brain injury group than in the sham operation and mild traumatic brain injury groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: BDNF expression in the rat frontal lobe cortex, hippocampus and basal forebrain is correlated to cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury. BDNF has a protective effect on cognitive function in rats following injury     

Correlation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor to cognitive impairment following traumatic brain injury in rats**☆

BACKGROUND： In vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） can promote survival and differentiation of cholinergic, dopaminergic and motor neurons, and axonal regeneration. BDNF has neuroprotective effects on the nervous system. OBJECTIVE： To explore changes in BDNF expression and cognitive function in rats after brain injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The neuropathology experiment was performed at the Second Research Room, Department of Neurosurgery, Fujian Medical University （China） from July 2007 to July 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 72 healthy, male, Sprague Dawley, rats were selected for this study. METHODS： Rat models of mild and moderate traumatic brain injury were created by percussion, according to Feeney＇s method （n = 24, each group）. A bone window was made in rats from the sham operation group （n = 24）, but no attack was conducted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At days 1, 2, 4 and 7 following injury, BDNF expression in the rat frontal lobe cortex, hippocampus and basal forebrain was examined by immunohistochemistry （streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method）. Changes in rat cognitive function were assessed by the walking test, balance-beam test and memory function detection. RESULTS： Cognitive impairment was aggravated at day 2, and recovered to normal at days 3 and 7 in rats from the mild and moderate traumatic brain injury groups. BDNF expression in the rat frontal lobe cortex, hippocampus and basal forebrain was increased at 1 day, decreased at day 2, and then gradually increased in the mild and moderate traumatic brain injury groups. BDNF expression was greater in rats from the moderate traumatic brain injury group than in the sham operation and mild traumatic brain injury groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： BDNF expression in the rat frontal lobe cortex, hippocampus and basal forebrain is correlated to cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury. BDNF has a protective effect on cognitive function in rats following i     

Therapeutic potential of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and a small molecular mimics of BDNF for traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury(TBI) is a major health problem worldwide.Following primary mechanical insults,a cascade of secondary injuries often leads to further neural tissue loss.Thus far there is no cure to rescue the damaged neural tissue.Current therapeutic strategies primarily target the secondary injuries focusing on neuroprotection and neuroregeneration.The neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) has significant effect in both aspects,promoting neuronal survival,synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis.Recently,the flavonoid 7,8-dihydroxyflavone(7,8-DHF),a small Trk B agonist that mimics BDNF function,has shown similar effects as BDNF in promoting neuronal survival and regeneration following TBI.Compared to BDNF,7,8-DHF has a longer half-life and much smaller molecular size,capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier,which makes it possible for non-invasive clinical application.In this review,we summarize functions of the BDNF/Trk B signaling pathway and studies examining the potential of BDNF and 7,8-DHF as a therapy for TBI.     

Exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor relieves pain symptoms of diabetic rats by reducing excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes lacking of effective treatments. Enhanced excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron plays a crucial role in the progression of diabetic neuropathic hyperalgesia. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known as a neuromodulator of nociception, but whether and how BDNF modulates the excitability of DRG neurons in the development of DPN remain to be clarified. This study investigated the role of exogenous BDNF and its high-affinity tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic pain. The results showed that continued intrathecal administration of BDNF to diabetic rats dramatically alleviated mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, as well as inhibited hyperexcitability of DRG neurons. These effects were blocked by pretreatment with TrkB Fc (a synthetic fusion protein consisting of the extracellular ligand-binding domain of the TrkB receptor). The expression of BDNF and TrkB was upregulated in the DRG of diabetic rats. Intrathecal administration of BDNF did not affect this upregulation. These data provide novel information that exogenous BDNF relieved pain symptoms of diabetic rats by reducing hyperexcitability of DRG neurons and might be the potential treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.     

Continuous decrease in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in a neuropsychiatric syndrome of systemic lupus erythematosus patient with organic brain changes

In the present study, the authors reported on a case in neuropsychiatric syndromes of systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) with irreversible organic brain changes. The authors also longitudinally investigated serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the patient. We found that serum BDNF levels in the NPSLE patient with irreversible organic brain change were consistently low, independent of the severity of psychiatric symptoms. Thus, the longitudinal measurement of serum BDNF levels might be useful in predicting the prognosis of NPSLE.     

脑源性神经营养因子基因多态性与精神分裂症的关联研究

目的:探讨脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)基因多态性与精神分裂症的关联性.方法:以111例精神分裂症发作期患者与362例正常对照为研究对象,通过TagMan探针单核苷酸多态性(SNP)基因分型技术对BDNF基因及基因上游10 kb区域的标签SNPs rs6265和rs11030101进行基因分型,比较各组间基因型、等位基...     

Apelin-13 as a novel target for intervention in secondar y injur y after traumatic brain injur y

The adipocytokine, apelin-13, is an abundantly expressed peptide in the nervous system. Apelin-13 protects the brain against ischemia/reperfusion injury and attenuates traumatic brain injury by suppressing autophagy. However, secondary apelin-13 effects on traumatic brain injury-induced neural cell death and blood-brain barrier integrity are still not clear. Here, we found that apelin-13 signiifcantly de-creases cerebral water content, mitigates blood-brain barrier destruction, reduces aquaporin-4 expression, diminishes caspase-3 and Bax expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and reduces apoptosis. These results show that apelin-13 attenuates secondary injury after traumatic brain injury and exerts a neuroprotective effect.     

A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of recombinant human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (rhBDNF) in diabetic polyneuropathy

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (rhBDNF) was conducted in 30 patients with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, with obligatory abnormalities of sural nerve conduction studies and vibration perception threshold (VPT) at the great toe on recruitment. Nine patients received placebo, 11 rhBDNF (25 microg/ kg) and 10 rhBDNF (100 microg/kg) s.c. daily for 3 months, and were assessed at days 0, 8, 15, 29, 43, 57 and 85 with nerve conduction and quantitative sensory and autonomic tests including VPT, thermal and light touch thresholds, and cutaneous axon-reflexes. No statistically significant differences were found among the 3 treatment groups between baseline and day 85 values. To examine possible reasons for lack of effect, post hoc analysis was performed. In the subset of patients with abnormal but detectable cool detection threshold (CDT) at baseline, there was improvement of CDT at day 85 when compared to baseline in the treated (p < 0.02) but not placebo group. Further, from days 43 to 85, in the treated group but not the placebo group, CDT was indistinguishable from a group of matched normal subjects (p > 0.05). Skin biopsies failed to show evidence of structural change; assessment of innervation of hair follicles, which is partly dependent on BDNF, was not possible because of the marked loss of this end-organ in diabetic neuropathic skin. The only side effects of rhBDNF were infrequent non-painful injection-site skin reactions and increased gut motility at the higher dose. We conclude that further preclinical studies are warranted before any future clinical trials to see if rhBDNF improves CDT and constipation in diabetics.     

颅脑损伤患者血清脑源性神经营养因子动态变化及其与预后关系的研究

目的探讨不同程度颅脑损伤（TBI）患者在不同时间点血清脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）浓度变化规律以及血清BDNF浓度与预后的关系。 方法选择自2016年10月至2018年10月青海省人民医院神经外科收治的149例TBI患者为研究对象,根据患者入院时的GCS评分将其分为轻型组（13~15分）52例、中型组（9~12分）49例、重型组（3~8分）48例。对照组为35例健康体检者。分析不同伤情组在不同时间点BDNF动态变化关系及其与对照组BDNF之间的关系。TBI患者伤后3个月采用GOS评分对患者预后进行评定,分为预后良好组（4~5分）98例、预后不良组（1~3分）51例,对比2组不同时间点血清BDNF浓度的差异,并对不同时间点血清BDNF值与患者入院时GCS评分及伤后3个月GOS评分进行相关性分析。 结果（1）轻、中、重型组患者1、7、14 d血清BDNF浓度与对照组比较,第1天轻型组与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,其余各组及不同时间点均明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P=0.001）;（2）中、重型组患者血清BDNF浓度于1、7、14 d均低于轻型组（P=0.001）,重型组患者血清BDNF浓度于1、7、14 d低于中型组,差异具有统计学意义（P=0.001）;（3）随访3个月,预后不良组与预后良好组各时间点BDNF浓度比较,差异具有统计学意义（P=0.001）;（4）TBI患者伤后1、7、14 d血清BDNF浓度水平与GCS评分呈正相关,与伤后3个月GOS评分亦呈正相关。 结论TBI患者血清BDNF浓度变化与不同伤情及预后有相关性,可作为临床早期判断TBI伤情和预后的指标之一。     

Neuronal injury and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in a rat model of amygdala kindling seizures Differences in brain regions and kindling courses

BACKGROUND:Studies have demonstrated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a dual effect on epilepsy. However, the relationship between epilepsy-induced brain injury and BDNF remains poorly understood.OBJECTIVE:According to ultrastructural and molecular parameters, to detect the degree of neuronal injury and BDNF expression changes at different brain regions and different kindling times to determine the effects of BDNF on epilepsy-induced brain injury.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING:A randomized, controlled, animal experiment based on neuropathology and molecular biology was performed at the Department of Physiology and Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Jilin University in 2003.MATERIALS:UltraSensitiveTM SP kit for immunohistochemistry (Fuzhou Maxim Biotechnology, China), BDNF antibody (concentrated type, Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, China), JEM-1000SX transmission electron microscopy (JEOL, Japan), and BH-2 light microscope (Olympus, Japan) were used in the present study.METHODS:Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 6), sham-surgery (n = 6), and model (n = 60) groups. The control group rats were not treated; an electrode was embedded into the amygdala in rats from the sham-surgery and model groups; an amygdala kindling epilepsy model was established in the model group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Pathological changes in the temporal lobe and hippocampus were observed by light and electron microscopy at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days following kindling, and BDNF expression in the various brain regions was determined by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:In the model group, temporal lobe cortical and hippocampal neurons were swollen and the nuclei were laterally deviated. There were also some apoptotic neurons 3 days after kindling. The nucleoli disappeared and the nuclei appeared broken or lysed, as well as slight microglia hyperplasia, at 7 days. Electron microscopic observation displayed chromatin aggregation in the nuclei and slight mitochondrion swelling 3 days after kindling. Injury changes were aggravated at 7 days, characterized by broken cytoplasmic membrane and pyknosis. With the development of seizure, the number of BDNF-positive neurons in the hippocampus and temporal lobe increased and peaked at 7 days. Moreover, hippocampal and cortical temporal lobe injury continued. Following termination of electrical stimulation after 7 days of kindling, BDNF expression decreased, but continued to be expressed, up to 21 days of kindling. In addition, the number of temporal and hippocampal BDNF-positive neurons was greater than the control group.CONCLUSION:Brain injury and BDNF expression peaked at 7 days after kindling, and hippocampal changes were significant.     

Alterations of serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in depressed patients with or without antidepressants.

BACKGROUND: Because researchers have reported that antidepressants increase the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the rat hippocampus, we investigated whether serum BDNF levels may be used as a putative biological marker for major depressive disorders (MDD). METHODS: We measured serum BDNF in the following three groups: antidepressant-naive patients with MDD (n = 16), antidepressant-treated patients with MDD (n = 17), and normal control subjects (n = 50). Patients were evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Serum BDNF was assayed with the sandwich ELISA method. RESULTS: We found that serum BDNF was significantly lower in the antidepressant-naive group (mean, 17.6 ng/mL; SD, 9.6) than in the treated (mean, 30.6 ng/mL; SD, 12.3; p =.001) or in the control group (mean, 27.7 ng/mL; SD, 11.4; p =.002). There was a significant negative correlation (r = -.350, z = -2.003, p =.045) between serum BDNF and HAM-D scores in all patients. In a preliminary examination, reduced BDNF values of three drug-naive patients recovered to basal levels after antidepressant treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that low BDNF levels may play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of MDD and that antidepressants may increase BDNF in depressed patients.     

Effects of ginsenoside on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase B mRNA expression in the hippocampal formation of aged rats

BACKGROUND:There are a limited number of studies involving the effects of ginsenosides,the active component of ginseng,on expression of hippocampal TrkB mRNA in aged rats.OBJECTIVE:To observe expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB)mRNA in the hippocampal formation of aged rats,as well as changes after ginsenoside administrated.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A randomized,controlled experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy,College of Basic Medical Sciences,China Medical University in March 2005.MATERIALS:A total of 39 female,Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=13 each):young (3-5 months old),aged(27 months old),and ginsenoside group(received 25mg/kg/d ginsenoside in the drinking water between 17 and 27 months of age).METHODS:Following anesthesia,the rats were exsanguinated and perfused transcardially with chilled,heparinized,0.9% saline.The brains were removed and post-fixed in 40 g/L paraformaldehyde/phosphate buffer for 20 minutes,and further incubated in 30% sucrose/phosphate buffer overnight.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:In situ hybridization,immunohistochemistry,and image analysis were used to investigate expression of BDNF and Trk(B mRNA in the hippocampal formation.RESULTS:The expression levels of BDNF in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 of aged rats was significantly less than the young group(t=2.879,1.814,1.984,P<0.05).BDNF expression was significantly greater in the dentate gyrus of the ginsenoside group,compared with the aging group(t=1.943,P<0.01).The expression of TrkB mRNA in the hippocampal CA3,CA1,and dentate gyrus of aged rats was less than the young group(t=3.540,3.629,17.905,P<0.01).TrkB mRNA expression in the CA3 region and dentate gyrus of the ginsenoside group was significantly greater compared with the aging group(t=1.293,3.386,P<0.05.0.01).CONCLUSION:BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in the hippocampal formation were reduced in the aged group.However,ginsenosides can increase BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in the hippocampal formation.     

Effects of ginsenoside on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase B mRNA expression in the hippocampal formation of aged rats*☆

BACKGROUND： There are a limited number of studies involving the effects of ginsenosides, the active component of ginseng, on expression of hippocampal TrkB mRNA in aged rats.
OBJECTIVE： To observe expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and tyrosine kinase B （TrkB） mRNA in the hippocampal formation of aged rats, as well as changes after ginsenoside administrated.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University in March 2005.
MATERIALS： A total of 39 female, Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups （n = 13 each）： young （3-5 months old）, aged （27 months old）, and ginsenoside group （received 25mg/kg/d ginsenoside in the drinking water between 17 and 27 months of age）.
METHODS： Following anesthesia, the rats were exsanguinated and perfused transcardially with chilled, heparinized, 0.9% saline. The brains were removed and post-fixed in 40 g/L paraformaldehyde/phosphate buffer for 20 minutes, and further incubated in 30% sucrose/phosphate buffer overnight.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis were used to investigate expression of BDNF and TrkB mRNA in the hippocampal formation. RESULTS： The expression levels of BDNF in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 of aged rats was significantly less than the young group （t = 2.879, 1.814, 1.984, P 〈 0.05）. BDNF expression was significantly greater in the dentate gyrus of the ginsenoside group, compared with the aging group （t = 1.943, P 〈 0.01）. The expression of TrkB mRNA in the hippocampal CA3, CA1, and dentate gyrus of aged rats was less than the young group （t = 3.540, 3.629, 17.905, P 〈 0.01）. TrkB mRNA expression in the CA3 region and dentate gyrus of the ginsenoside group was significantly greater compared with the aging group （t = 1.293, 3.386, P 〈 0.05, 0.01 ）.
CONCLUSION： BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in the hipp     

Neural stem cells over-expressing brain-derived neurotrophic factor promote neuronal survival and cytoskeletal protein expression in traumatic brain injury sites

Cytoskeletal proteins are involved in neuronal survival.Brain-derived neurotrophic factor can increase expression of cytoskeletal proteins during regeneration after axonal injury.However,the effect of neural stem cells genetically modified by brain-derived neurotrophic factor transplantation on neuronal survival in the injury site still remains unclear.To examine this,we established a rat model of traumatic brain injury by controlled cortical impact.At 72 hours after injury,2 × 10~7 cells/m L neural stem cells overexpressing brain-derived neurotrophic factor or naive neural stem cells(3 m L) were injected into the injured cortex.At 1–3 weeks after transplantation,expression of neurofilament 200,microtubule-associated protein 2,actin,calmodulin,and beta-catenin were remarkably increased in the injury sites.These findings confirm that brain-derived neurotrophic factor-transfected neural stem cells contribute to neuronal survival,growth,and differentiation in the injury sites.The underlying mechanisms may be associated with increased expression of cytoskeletal proteins and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene not associated with antidepressant-induced mania

BACKGROUND: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release across multiple neurotransmitter systems. Recent studies have suggested that BDNF plays a role in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BPD). Moreover, increasing BDNF production might be one of the mechanisms involved in the alleviation of depression and aggravation of mania in antidepressant treatment. OBJECTIVES: Thus, we hypothesized that a genetic variant within the BDNF gene might influence susceptibility to antidepressant-induced mania, as has been suggested previously. METHODS: We performed a case-control study to test for allelic frequency and genotype distribution differences across six BDNF polymorphisms between 27 patients with antidepressant-induced mania (IM+) and 29 patients without antidepressant-induced mania (IM-). RESULTS: We did not observe any significant difference in either allelic or genotype frequencies between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not support the BDNF link to mania hypothesis proposed previously. However, a larger sample would allow for greater power to determine smaller effects of the BDNF gene in antidepressant-induced mania.     

顽固性颞叶癫痫患者海马或颞叶BDNF及其受体TrkB的测定

目的检测脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)及其受体酪氨酸激酶B受体(TrkB)在难治性颞叶癫痫(TLE)患者颞叶和/或海马中的含量,探讨其在癫痫发病机制中的作用。方法选取经手术治疗的82例难治性TLE患者术中切除的海马或颞叶脑组织,用免疫组化方法对BDNF及其受体TrkB含量进行检测,并与11例对照进行比较。结果在难治性TLE患者中,BDNF在颞叶和海马中含量明显增加(分别P<0.05,P<0.01),且海马中含量明显高于颞叶(P<0.01);TrkB在颞叶和海马中含量显著增加(P<0.01),且海马中含量高于颞叶(P<0.05)。结论难治性TLE患者海马和颞叶中BDNF和TrkB含量增高,可能在癫痫发生、发展中起重要作用。     

侧脑室内注入脑源性神经营养因子对AD小鼠酪氨酸激酶B及内源性BDNF表达的影响

目的 探讨侧脑室内注入脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)对APP/PS1双转基因阿尔茨海默病(AD)小鼠酪氨酸激酶B (TrkB)及内源性BDNF表达的影响. 方法 10只10月龄APP/PS1雄性小鼠按随机数字表法分为2组,实验组5只,双侧侧脑室内注入BDNF;磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)组5只,双侧侧脑室内注入PBS,为阳性对照组;干预时间均为6周.同时选择5只同窝生10月龄野生型小鼠,不予任何处理,为阴性对照组.采用荧光免疫组化法观察小鼠皮层区β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)斑块形态学改变,硫磺素S法检测致密斑的数量,同时检测小鼠皮层区TrkB、BDNF蛋白表达的情况. 结果 (1)治疗前、后BDNF组Aβ斑块总数分别为(101.58±7.86)个、(102.83±8.22)个,与PBS组(97.23±1 1.62)个、(103.6±6.46)个比较差异均无统计学意义(t=0.695、-0.171,P=-0.509、0.869);治疗6周后BDNF组Aβ斑块直径缩小至(34.65±9.33)μm,TS+斑块数量减少至(51.70±4.18)个,与PBS组(46.17±10.16)μm、(58.85±7.55)个比较,差异均具有统计学意义(t=-2.401、-2.536,P=0.047、0.039);(2)治疗后BDNF组TrkB、BDNF蛋白表达明显增强. 结论 侧脑室内注入BDNF减少了Aβ致密斑的形成,使Aβ蛋白沉积导致的神经毒性作用减弱,从而促进皮层区TrkB表达增强,导致内源性BDNF表达增强,可在一定程度上延缓AD小鼠的病程.