Association between Activity and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Data-Mining Analysis

Abstract

Reduction in activity links to the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to regulate an activity. We aimed to investigate the association between reduction in activity and BDNF in patients with NAFLD using data-mining analysis. We enrolled 48 NAFLD patients. Patients were classified into reduced (n = 21) or normal activity groups (n = 27) based on the activity score of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire-NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Circulating BDNF levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Factors associated with reduced activity were analyzed using decision-tree and random forest analyses. A reduction in activity was seen in 43.8% of patients. Hemoglobin A1c and BDNF were identified as negative independent factors for reduced activity (hemoglobin A1c, OR 0.012, p = 0.012; BDNF, OR 0.041, p = 0.039). Decision-tree analysis showed that “BDNF levels ≥ 19.1 ng/mL” was the most important classifier for reduced activity. In random forest analysis, serum BDNF level was the highest-ranked variable for distinguishing between the reduced and normal activity groups (158 valuable importance). Reduced activity was commonly seen in patients with NAFLD. Data-mining analyses revealed that BNDF was the most important independent factor corresponding with the reduction in activity. BDNF may be an important target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

MAFLD enhances clinical practice for liver disease in the Asia-Pacific region

“…A reduction in physical activity is seen in approximately 50% of patients with fatty liver in Asia [ 115 ]. In addition, patients with MAFLD are at high risk for ASCVD.…”

Increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the serum of persons with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

“…Given this issue in the FIB-4 index calculation, a report recommended that the FIB-4 index should distinguish cutoff values by age [27], and the results in the present study may reflect this shortcoming of the FIB-4 index. Hashida's study, like the present, did not show a correlation of serum BDNF levels in NAFLD patients with the FIB-4 index [26]. Regarding the NAFLD evaluation method in the present study, we have conducted research using a similar assessment of fatty liver and these studies have already been published [28,29].…”

“…Therefore, this population was considered equivalent to the prediabetes group in Liu's study. Hashida et al analyzed the association between the serum BDNF level and NAFLD in NAFLD patients [26]. Their study found a negative correlation between reduced activity in patients with NAFLD and the serum BDNF level.…”

A network pharmacology study to determine the integrated application of dietary plant-derived natural flavonoids and gut microbiota against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

“…JAnus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway: The mice experiment reported that the deletion of JAK2 induces fatty liver, thereby elevating liver triglyceride as twenty times as normal group [56]. Neurotrophin signaling pathway: A logistic regression study demonstrated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a negative independent factor with 0.041 (Odds ratio) in NAFLD patients, by comparison with control groups [57]. T cell receptor signaling pathway: The recognition of antigen on T cell is an initial step to maintain the homeostasis of the gut microbes, affecting liver immune system in gut-liver axis To sum up, we believe that the correlative analysis of prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and targets would be helpful to understand the complex microbiome system.…”