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Published on: January 16, 2019
Associations of Plasma BDNF and BDNF Gene Polymorphism with Cardiometabolic Parameters in Thai Children: A Pilot
Kanjana Suriyaprom1, Banchamaphon Pheungruang2, Somchai Pooudong3
1Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Paholyothin Road, Pathumthani 12000, Thailand.
Insights
Childhood obesity is linked to higher cardiometabolic risks in Thai children. The BDNF G196A gene variant may help control blood pressure, but BDNF levels and other gene variants showed no significant association with obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity presents a significant global public health challenge.
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) influences energy balance and cardiovascular control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess BDNF levels and cardiometabolic/hematological markers in obese versus nonobese Thai children.
- To investigate the association of BDNF gene polymorphisms (G196A, C270T) with BDNF levels, obesity, and related health parameters.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 469 Thai children (279 nonobese, 190 obese).
- Measurement of anthropometric, cardiometabolic, hematological variables, and BDNF levels.
- Genotyping for BDNF G196A and C270T polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP.
Main Results:
- Obese children exhibited elevated white blood cell counts and certain cardiometabolic markers.
- No significant difference in BDNF levels between obese and nonobese groups was observed.
- BDNF levels positively correlated with blood pressure, triglycerides, and glucose index.
- The BDNF G196A polymorphism was linked to reduced systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05).
- The BDNF C270T polymorphism showed no significant association with the studied parameters.
Conclusions:
- Obesity in Thai children is associated with increased cardiometabolic risks.
- BDNF levels and the studied BDNF polymorphisms were not directly linked to obesity in this cohort.
- The BDNF G196A polymorphism may serve as a beneficial genetic marker for blood pressure regulation in Thai children.
Background:
Childhood obesity is an important public health crisis worldwide. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been demonstrated to play a role in controlling energy homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation.
Objectives:
To examine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and anthropometric-cardiometabolic and hematological parameters in obese and nonobese children and to determine whether two BDNF gene polymorphisms (G196A and C270T) are linked to BDNF levels, obesity, and anthropometric-cardiometabolic and hematological parameters among Thai children.
Methods:
This case-control study included an analysis of 469 Thai children: 279 healthy nonobese and 190 obese children. Anthropometric-cardiometabolic and hematological variables and BDNF levels were measured. Genotyping of BDNF G196A and C270T was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique.
Results:
Children in the obese group had significantly higher white blood cell counts and some cardiometabolic parameters. Although the difference in BDNF level between the nonobese and obese groups was not significant, BDNF level was significantly positively correlated with hematological and cardiometabolic parameters, including blood pressure, triglycerides, and triglycerides and the glucose index. The BDNF G196A polymorphism in children was only associated with decreased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), while the BDNF C270T polymorphism was found not to be related to BDNF levels, obesity, or other parameters after adjusting for potential covariates.
Conclusions:
These findings in Thai children suggest that obesity is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors, but not with BDNF levels or the two BDNF polymorphisms studied, while the BDNF G196A polymorphism is a beneficial marker for controlling blood pressure among Thai children.
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