Effects of aerobic training on metabolic risk factors and BDNF in midlife males

Introduction and Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can affect metabolic processes in addition to its neurotrophic effects. We investigated the effects of aerobic training on metabolic risk factors and BDNF. 21 middle-aged volunteers with metabolic syndrome were divided randomly into exercise (ME) and control (MC) groups. The nutritional logs (carbohydrate, lipid, protein content and total daily caloric intake) during three weeks prior to the study initiation, were recorded. The ME subjects participated in aerobic training program (6 weeks) with moderateintensity and blood samples were taken at two occasions including baseline and end of training period. Between group comparisons were made using independent samples t test and multivariate ANCOVA (in order to control the effect of between group nutritional differences at baseline), while within group differences explored by ANOVA for repeated measurements and Cochran’s test of Q. aerobic training decreased overall MetS Z score (P=0.001), BDNF (P=0.004), insulin sensitivity (P=0.038), mean atrial blood pressure (P=0.024), waist circumference (P=0.002),fasting blood sugar (P=0.018) and triglyceride (P=0.001) and also increased high density lipoproteine (P=0.003). However, nonsignificant response observed about insulin (P<0.05).Discussion and Aerobic training has various benefits for MetS. However, it seems for metabolic syndrome that the serum BDNF is not a marker of health as typically assumedfor healthy population.