Renal BDNF mRNA Downregulation in a Mouse Model of Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophic factor essential for brain function, is also produced in the kidneys and reportedly exerts kidney protective effects. However, whether renal BDNF levels decrease in chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains elusive. To investigate how CKD affects renal BDNF levels, we used an adenine-induced murine CKD model. Administration of 0.1% adenine solutions via free drinking for 1 week resulted in a marked reduction of BDNF expression in the kidneys. Our results suggest that CKD progression reduces kidney BDNF levels and that this model could be useful for developing BDNF-targeted strategies for CKD prevention and therapy.