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]pl and in serum [BDNF]s as well as on the plasma isoprostanes concentration [F2 isoprostanes]pl, 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]s by ~42 % (2,574 ± 322 vs. 1,492 ± 327 pg ml−1). This was accompanied by an increase (P 0.05) in [BDNF]pl and the platelets count were observed after a single dialysis session. Furthermore, basal [BDNF]s 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 [F2-Isoprostanes]pl and decreased plasma TAC might be caused by enhanced oxidative stress induced by hemodialysis.