FP107ASSOCIATION OF BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR WITH PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS IN HYPERTENESIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family, has been associated with the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Due to its neuroprotective, proangiogenic and myogenic features, its role in vascular diseases also can be the subject of interest. Therefore we investigated in hypertensive patients the changes of serum BDNF level and its correlation with the arterial stiffness parameters and psychosomatic disorders including depression, anxiety and affective temperaments. Methods: 101 patients with chronic hypertension (> 12 months antihypertensive medication, 23 had type-2 diabetes, 16 anxiolytic medication) and 16 age-matched healthy controls from three separate primary care practices were involved in this cross-sectional study. Affective temperaments were evaluated on Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaires (TEMPS-A), depression and anxiety were scored on Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Anxiety Scale respectively. Routine laboratory parameters and serum BDNF levels were determined and arterial stiffness was measured with PulsePen device. Results: BDNF level was higher in hypertensive patients compared to controls (26.11 ±8.99 vs. 19.1±45.05 ng/mL, p<0.001). However in those patients who took regularly anxiolytic treatment the level of BDNF (20.86±6.52 ng/mL) was similar to controls. Positive correlations were found between BDNF and HDL levels, pulse pressure amplification and hyperthymic temperament score. Conclusions: Our results suggest a complex psychosomatic involvement of BDNF in the pathophysiology of hypertension. The positive correlation of increased serum BDNF in treated chronic hypertensive patients with the hyperthymic temperament score and HDL level suggest a vasculo-protective effect of the protein. Therefore BDNF could serve as therapeutic target in the future in cardiovascular diseases.