The impact of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration and weight gain after kidney transplantation

Obesity and its related complications continue to be significant challenges for kidney transplant recipients. In previous studies, researchers have reported that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is closely associated with metabolic imbalance and obesity, but the role of BDNF in weight gain after kidney transplant has not been elucidated. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the relationship between plasma BDNF levels and weight change. We examined associations between plasma BDNF levels measured at transplantation and 12 months later and measures of weight change during these 12 months in a sample of 55 kidney recipients (mean age of 48 years, 60% male, 56% African American). Of the 55 recipients, 49 had BDNF levels measured at baseline, 33 had BDNF levels measured at 12 months, and 27 had BDNF levels measured at both time points. We found that plasma BDNF levels at baseline (n = 49), but not at 12 months (n = 33), were significantly and positively correlated with the body mass index change (p = 0.037) and percentage weight change (p = 0.036). In addition, average plasma BDNF value at 12 months (307 ± 254 pg/ml) was significantly lower than at baseline (452 ± 345 pg/ml) in the 27 recipients with BDNF levels measured at both time points. Findings from this pilot work suggest that BDNF might serve as a regulator of weight change for kidney transplant related obesity.