Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration is a predictor of chronic kidney disease in patients with cardiovascular risk factors – Hyogo Sleep Cardio-Autonomic Atherosclerosis study

Background
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to have protective effects against cardiovascular diseases and death through neural and non-neural pathways via tropomyosin-related kinase B signaling. However, it is not known whether plasma BDNF concentration is a predictor of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Design
This study was conducted as a prospective cohort study as part of the Hyogo Sleep Cardio-Autonomic Atherosclerosis.
Methods
We measured plasma BDNF concentration in 324 patients without CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 ml/min/1.73m2, and with cardiovascular risk factors. As potential confounders, sleep condition, nocturnal hypertension, and autonomic function were quantitatively examined. The patients were followed for a median 37 months (range 2–59 months) and occurrence of CKD was noted.
Results
Plasma BDNF concentration was significantly and independently associated with CKD development, which occurred in 38 patients (11.7%). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with reduced plasma BDNF concentration exhibited a significantly (p = 0.029) greater number of CKD events as compared to those with a higher concentration. Moreover, comparisons of key subgroups showed that the risk of CKD in association with low plasma BDNF concentration was more prominent in patients with a greater reduction of nocturnal systolic blood pressure, better movement index, higher standard deviations of the NN(RR) interval or average NN(RR) interval for each 5-minute period, and without past cardiovascular disease events, smoking habit, or albuminuria.
Conclusions
Plasma BDNF concentration is an independent predictor for development of CKD in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.