Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes and its chronic complications still represent a great clinical problem, despite improvements made in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. People with diabetes have a much higher risk of impaired brain function and psychiatric disorders. Neurotrophins are factors that protect neuronal tissue and improve the function of the central nervous system, and among them is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The level and function of BDNF in diabetes seems to be disturbed by and connected with the presence of insulin resistance. On the other hand, there is evidence for the highly beneficial impact of physical activity on brain function and BDNF level. However, it is not clear if this protective phenomenon works in the presence of diabetes. In this review, we summarize the current available research on this topic and find that the results of published studies are ambiguous.

Effects of High White and Brown Sugar Consumption on Serum Level of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Insulin Resistance, and Body Weight in Albino Rats

“…Neurotrophic factors such as BDNF protect neurons against oxidative stress, and the high-fat sucrose diet can attenuate neurotransmitter secretion that is typically modulated by BDNF and synapsin 1. 4 Insulin resistance reduces the expression of BDNF in sensory and motor roots. 15 BDNF concentration is also decreased in the plasma of T2DM patients.…”

“… 2 Insulin resistance has on inverse effect on serum level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). 4 …”

“… 5 BDNF plays a vital role in development and maintenance of central and peripheral nervous system health and synaptic plasticity. 4 Serum level of BDNF has been reported to decrease in patients with insulin resistance and diabetes. 4 A common belief exists that brown sugar (BS) is less damaging to health than white sugar (WS), but preliminary experimental information on this matter is scarce.…”

“… 4 Serum level of BDNF has been reported to decrease in patients with insulin resistance and diabetes. 4 A common belief exists that brown sugar (BS) is less damaging to health than white sugar (WS), but preliminary experimental information on this matter is scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high WS and BS consumption on serum level of BDNF, insulin resistance, and body weight in albino rats.…”

“…2 Insulin resistance has on inverse effect on serum level of brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). 4 BDNF is one of the factors of the neurotrophin family that is widely secreted in some areas of mammalian cerebral tissue, such as the hippocampal region. 5 BDNF plays a vital role in development and maintenance of central and peripheral nervous system health and synaptic plasticity.…”