Hemodialysis decreases serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration in humans.

In the present study we have evaluated the effect of a single hemodialysis session on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in plasma BDNF and in serum BDNF as well as on the plasma isoprostanes concentration F(2) isoprostanes, plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and plasma cortisol levels in chronic kidney disease patients. Twenty male patients (age 69.8 ± 2.9 years (mean ± SE)) with end-stage renal disease undergoing maintenance hemodialysis on regular dialysis treatment for 15-71 months participated in this study. A single hemodialysis session, lasting 4.2 ± 0.1 h, resulted in a decrease (P = 0.014) in BDNF by ~42 % (2,574 ± 322 vs. 1,492 ± 327 pg ml(-1)). This was accompanied by an increase (P < 10(-4)) of F(2)-Isoprostanes (38 ± 3 vs. 116 ± 16 pg ml(-1)), decrease (P < 10(-4)) in TAC (1,483 ± 41 vs. 983 ± 35 trolox equivalents, μmol l(-1)) and a decrease (P = 0.004) in plasma cortisol level (449.5 ± 101.2 vs. 315.3 ± 196.3 nmol l(-1)). No changes (P > 0.05) in BDNF and the platelets count were observed after a single dialysis session. Furthermore, basal BDNF in the chronic kidney disease patients was significantly lower (P = 0.03) when compared to the age-matched control group (n = 23). We have concluded that the observed decrease in serum BDNF level after hemodialysis accompanied by elevated F(2)-Isoprostanes and decreased plasma TAC might be caused by enhanced oxidative stress induced by hemodialysis.