Changes in Circulating BDNF in relation to Sex, Diet, and Exercise: A 12-Week Randomized Controlled Study in Overweight and Obese Participants

• Published in: Journal of obesity 2019, Vol.2019 (2019), p.1-7
• Main Authors: Richelsen, B., Larsen, L. H., Christiansen, T., Glud, M., Bruun, J. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body weight; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Enzymes; Gender differences; Obesity; Studies; Type 2 diabetes; Womens health
• ISSN: 2090-0708; 2090-0716
• DOI: 10.1155/2019/4537274

Circulating BDNF is higher in women than in men and suggested to be affected by changes in food intake, body weight, and exercise. The purpose of this study was to compare BDNF concentrations in women and men during a 12-week weight loss intervention. Using a previously published 12-week randomized study, serum BDNF was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Fifty overweight or obese but healthy individuals (26 women, mean age of 36.4 ± 7.9 years; 24 men, mean age of 38.0 ± 5.9 years) were included and allocated into three groups: exercise-only (EXO; 12 weeks of aerobic exercise and isocaloric diet), diet-only (DIO; 8 weeks of very low energy diet (VLED 600 kcal/day) followed by a 4-week weight maintenance diet), or diet and exercise (DEX; 12 weeks of aerobic exercise in parallel with 8 weeks of VLED (800 kcal/day) followed by a 4-week weight maintenance diet). At baseline, BDNF levels were 25% higher in women compared to men (p=0.006). Body weight was reduced in all intervention groups (p