Wu Gang, Shi Guifeng, Ye Yafei, He Xiaoqin, Chen Yahong, Liu Cuimin, Zhang Meixian
Department of Pharmacy, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China.
Department of Preventive Health Care, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China.
Front Nutr. 2025 Jul 8;12:1618927. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1618927. eCollection 2025.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein essential for brain health and nutrient energy metabolism. This study aims to examine the relationship between blood BDNF levels and obesity and to assess the effect of energy-restricted diets on BDNF levels.
We enrolled 233 individuals with normal weight ( = 102), overweight ( = 52), and obesity ( = 69) and measured their serum BDNF levels. Totally 49 overweight and obese participants then followed a 4-week energy-restricted diet. Paired tests were used to statistically evaluate changes in serum BDNF levels before and after the diet. Based on the effectiveness of weight loss, participants were divided into high- and low-response groups. Changes in BDNF levels before and after the diet were further analyzed separately in the high- and low-response groups for both men and women.
Our findings showed that serum BDNF levels were significantly elevated in overweight and obese adults in the Chinese population studied ( = 0.002). Energy restriction led to a significant decrease in BDNF levels in overweight and obese participants (before: 19,605.13 ± 5,706.07 pg/ml, after: 16,437.39 ± 5,365.13 pg/ml, < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, a reduction in BDNF levels was observed only in the female hyporesponsive group ( = 0.001).
Serum BDNF levels were elevated in overweight and obese adults in the Chinese population, and an energy-restricted diet reduced serum BDNF. In women, failure to achieve weight loss with an energy-restricted diet may be associated with decreased BDNF levels. Maintaining stable BDNF levels, such as through exercise, should be considered to enhance weight loss outcomes. Confounding factors such as the menstrual cycle, menopausal status, and levels of physical activity should be taken into consideration in future studies.
脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）是一种对大脑健康和营养能量代谢至关重要的蛋白质。本研究旨在探讨血液中BDNF水平与肥胖之间的关系，并评估能量限制饮食对BDNF水平的影响。
我们招募了233名体重正常（n = 102）、超重（n = 52）和肥胖（n = 69）的个体，并测量了他们的血清BDNF水平。然后，49名超重和肥胖参与者遵循了为期4周的能量限制饮食。采用配对检验对饮食前后血清BDNF水平的变化进行统计学评估。根据减肥效果，将参与者分为高反应组和低反应组。分别对男性和女性的高反应组和低反应组饮食前后BDNF水平的变化进行进一步分析。
我们的研究结果表明，在所研究的中国人群中，超重和肥胖成年人的血清BDNF水平显著升高（P = 0.002）。能量限制导致超重和肥胖参与者的BDNF水平显著下降（饮食前：19,605.13±5,706.07 pg/ml，饮食后：16,437.39±5,365.13 pg/ml，P < 0.001）。在亚组分析中，仅在女性低反应组中观察到BDNF水平降低（P = 0.001）。
中国人群中超重和肥胖成年人的血清BDNF水平升高，能量限制饮食可降低血清BDNF水平。在女性中，能量限制饮食未能实现体重减轻可能与BDNF水平降低有关。应考虑通过运动等方式维持稳定的BDNF水平，以提高减肥效果。未来研究应考虑月经周期、绝经状态和身体活动水平等混杂因素。
