Potential Relation between Plasma BDNF Levels and Human Coronary Plaque Morphology

Role of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Anxiety or Depression After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Anxiety or depression after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is one of the key clinical problems in cardiology that need to be solved urgently. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be a potential biomarker for the pathogenesis and treatment of anxiety or depression after PCI. This article reviews the correlation between BDNF and cardiovascular system and nervous system from the aspects of synthesis, release and action site of BDNF, and focuses on the latest research progress of the mechanism of BDNF in anxiety or depression after PCI. It includes the specific mechanisms by which BDNF regulates the levels of inflammatory factors, reduces oxidative stress damage, and mediates multiple signaling pathways. In addition, this review summarizes the therapeutic potential of BDNF as a potential biomarker for anxiety or depression after PCI.

Peripheral Levels of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Among its functions, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates endothelial and macrophage activation, possibly playing a role in atherosclerotic plaque pathophysiology. Given contradicting reports, this study sought to investigate whether blood levels of BDNF differed between patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and controls.

Methods

We explored PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for studies comparing BDNF blood levels in patients with CHD and controls. Random-effect meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of included articles, and statistical analyses were conducted using R version 4.0.4.

Results

The final analysis comprised 12 investigations covering 1422 CHD cases and 929 controls with mean ages of 59.66±13.56 and 53.78±13.61 years, respectively. The initial analyses revealed a tendency toward low levels of BDNF in the CHD group compared with the control group (SMD= -0.41; 95% CI, -1.12 to 0.30; P=0.26). After the removal of outliers, the difference achieved statistical difference (SMD= -0.56; 95% CI, -0.93 to -0.19; P<0.01). Subgroup analysis demonstrated no significant difference between serum and plasma BDNF levels (P=0.54); however, subgroup analyses of studies investigating plasma BDNF showed that patients with CHD had significantly lower BDNF levels.

Conclusion

Serum and plasma BDNF concentrations were considerably lower in patients with CHD than in healthy controls. Further studies of higher quality are required on the potential role of BDNF as a biomarker of CHD pathophysiology and severity.

Butein Ameliorates Chronic Stress Induced Atherosclerosis via Targeting Anti-inflammatory, Anti-fibrotic and BDNF Pathways

Chronic stress is a major risk factor for various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Chronic stress enhances the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, making individuals susceptible to atherosclerosis which is dominant cause for CVDs. In present study, we validated a mouse model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), and assessed the characteristic features of atherosclerosis in thoracic aortas of CUS mice. The CUS procedure consisted of exposing groups of mice to random stressors daily for 10-weeks. The stress response was verified by presence of depressive-like behaviors and increased serum corticosterone in mice which was determined by battery of behavioural tests (SPT, EPMT, NSFT) and ELISA, respectively. Atherosclerosis parameters in CUS mice were evaluated by lipid indices estimation followed by histological assessment of plaque deposition and fibrosis in thoracic aorta. Further, we assessed the efficacy of a polyphenol, i.e. Butein in conferring protection against chronic stress-induced atherosclerosis and the possible mechanism of action. Butein (20mg/kg x 28 days, alternatively, i.p.) was administered to CUS mice after 6-weeks of CUS exposure till the end of the protocol. Butein treatment decreased peripheral IL-1β and enhanced peripheral as well as central BDNF levels. Histological assessment revealed decreased macrophage expression and reduced fibrosis in thoracic aorta of Butein treated mice. Further, treatment with Butein lowered lipid indices in CUS mice. Our findings thus, suggest that 10-weeks of CUS induce characteristic features of atherosclerosis in mice and Butein can offer protection in CUS-induced atherosclerosis through multiple mechanisms including anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and anti-adipogenic actions.

Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular Disorders and COVID-19: Comorbid Pathogenesis

The article describes how atherosclerosis and coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) may affect each other. The features of this comorbid pathogenesis at various levels (vascular, cellular and molecular) are considered. A bidirectional influence of these conditions is described: the presence of cardiovascular diseases affects different individuals' susceptibility to viral infection. In turn, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can have a negative effect on the endothelium and cardiomyocytes, causing blood clotting, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and thus exacerbating the development of atherosclerosis. In addition to the established entry into cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), other mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 entry are currently under investigation, for example, through CD147. Pathogenesis of comorbidity can be determined by the influence of the virus on various links which are meaningful for atherogenesis: generation of oxidized forms of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), launch of a cytokine storm, damage to the endothelial glycocalyx, and mitochondrial injury. The transformation of a stable plaque into an unstable one plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis complications and can be triggered by COVID-19. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on large vessels such as the aorta is more complex than previously thought considering its impact on vasa vasorum. Current information on the mutual influence of the medicines used in the treatment of atherosclerosis and acute COVID-19 is briefly summarized.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Extracellular Vesicle-Derived miRNAs in an Italian Cohort of Individuals With Obesity: A Key to Explain the Link Between Depression and Atherothrombosis

Background

Obesity and depression are intertwined diseases often associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), altered in the brain both of subjects with depression and obesity, provides a potential link between depression and thrombosis. Since the relationship among peripheral BDNF, depression and obesity is not well-defined, the aim of the present report has been to address this issue taking advantage of the contribution played by extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived miRNAs.

Research Process

Associations among circulating BDNF, depression and EV-derived miRNAs related to atherothrombosis have been evaluated in a large Italian cohort of obese individuals (n = 743), characterized by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) score.

Results

BDI-II was negatively associated with BDNF levels without a significant impact of the rs6265 BDNF polymorphism; this association was modified by raised levels of IFN-γ. BDNF levels were linked to an increase of 80 EV-derived miRNAs and a decrease of 59 miRNAs related to atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Network analysis identified at least 18 genes targeted by these miRNAs, 7 of which involved in depression and CV risk. The observation of a possible link among BDNF, depression, and miRNAs related to atherothrombosis and depression in obesity is novel and may lead to a wider use of BDNF as a CV risk biomarker in this specific subject group.

Circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor dysregulation and its linkage with lipid level, stenosis degree, and inflammatory cytokines in coronary heart disease

Background

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates the lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis plaque formation, and inflammatory process, while the study about its clinical role in coronary heart disease (CHD) is few. The present study intended to explore the expression of BDNF and its relationship with stenosis, inflammation, and adhesion molecules in CHD patients.

Methods

After serum samples were obtained from 207 CHD patients, BDNF, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17A, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) levels were determined using ELISA. Then, the BDNF level was also examined in 40 disease controls (DCs) and 40 healthy controls (HCs), separately.

Results

BDNF was lower in CHD patients than in DCs and HCs (median (95% confidential interval) value: 5.6 (3.5–9.6) ng/mL vs. 10.7 (6.1–17.0) ng/mL and 12.6 (9.4–18.2) ng/mL, both p < 0.001). BDNF could well distinguish CHD patients from DCs (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.739) and HCs (AUC: 0.857). BDNF was negatively associated with triglyceride (p = 0.014), total cholesterol (p = 0.037), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.008). BDNF was negatively associated with CRP (p < 0.001), TNF‐α (p < 0.001), IL‐1β (p = 0.008), and IL‐8 (p < 0.001). BDNF was negatively related to VCAM‐1 (p < 0.001) and ICAM‐1 (p = 0.003). BDNF was negatively linked with the Gensini score (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

BDNF reflects the lipid dysregulation, inflammatory status, and stenosis degree in CHD patients.