Aerobic Exercise Combined With Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation Increases Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Healthy Males

Abstract

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in enhancing neuronal health. Exercise and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) are known to independently alter BDNF levels in patients with depression, dementia, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. However, the combined effects of exercise and NPPV on serum BDNF in normal subjects are unknown.

Objective: To determine the effects of the combination of acute aerobic exercise under NPPV on serum BDNF in normal adults.

Design: Cross-over design study.

Setting: Wakayama Medical University.

Participants: Ten healthy young men.

Intervention: The subjects exercised on a cycle ergometer at 60% of pretraining maximal oxygen uptake (V.O_2max) for 30 minutes daily for 5 consecutive days with or without NPPV (12 cmH₂O). The 5-day exercise protocol was repeated after a 3-week washout period with or without NPPV.

Main outcome measurements: Serum BDNF, plasma cortisol, and platelet, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts were measured at 24 hours before the first day exercise with or without NPPV and 24 hour after last day exercise with or without NPPV at resting condition. Measurements were also made on the first day exercise; serum BDNF level was measured immediately before and immediately after exercise, as well as at 1, 2, and 3 hours after exercise with or without NPPV.

Results: The 5-day exercise protocol significantly (P < .05) increased serum BDNF when combined with NPPV, but not without NPPV, and did not change plasma cortisol level, platelet, or lymphocyte counts, with or without NPPV. The 5-day exercise protocol also significantly (P < .05) decreased monocyte count without NPPV, but not with NPPV, relative to baseline. Changes noticed immediately after the first day of exercise included significant (P < .05) increase in serum BDNF compared with immediately before the exercise, with or without NPPV.

Conclusions: The results indicated that a 5-day exercise protocol combined with NPPV increased serum BDNF, suggesting that NPPV synergistically enhances the effect of aerobic exercise on serum BDNF level.

Level of evidence: II.