The acute effect of aerobic and anaerobic exercise on serum levels of BDNF and CRP in active men

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have revealed that neurotrophic and inflammatory factors are effective factors affecting nervous system. So, the purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two exhaustive aerobic and anaerobic physical activity on serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and evaluate the relationship between them. Methods: 16 active students (age: 22.27± 1.15 years, BMI: 23.29±1.14 Kg/m2, VO2max: 48.26±.1.92 ml/kg/min) divided randomly into two groups. Tests used in this study consisted of Cunningham and Faulkner test for anaerobic group and Astrand test for aerobic group. Blood sample was taken before and immediately after exercise. Results: Both acute exhaustive anaerobic and aerobic exercise have increased BDNF levels significantly (P<0/05). Serum CRP levels following implementation of aerobic exercise decreased significantly (P=0/018), but anaerobic exercise caused no significant change in CRP level (P>0/05). Moreover, immediately after exercise, significant inverse relationship was found between BDNF and CRP levels in aerobic group. There were no significant difference between aerobic and anaerobic groups in serum BDNF and CRP levels (P>0/05). Conclusion: There were significant and positive impacts of exhaustive aerobic and anaerobic exercise on serum BDNF. It can be concluded that exhaustive aerobic activity has more impact on brain health than that of exhaustive anaerobic activity, due to its significant effect on decreasing serum CRP levels. However, the final decision on this issue requires further investigations.