No modification in blood GFAP and NGF levels but changes in BDNF concentrations after exercise to volitional exhaustion in sedentary individuals exposed to acute normobaric hypoxia

• Published in: Folia neuropathologica Vol. 56; no. 3; p. 254
• Main Authors: Piotrowicz, Z, Czuba, M, Langfort, J, Chalimoniuk, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Warsaw Termedia sp. z o.o 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Astrocytes; Blood-brain barrier; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Central nervous system; Environmental factors; Glial fibrillary acidic protein; Hypoxia; Microglia; Nerve growth factor; Neurodegeneration; Neuronal-glial interactions; Neuropeptides; Neurotrophic factors; Physiology
• ISSN: 1641-4640; 1509-572X

The physiological state of the central nervous system (CNS) can be determined indirectly in humans by measuring serum concentration of neuropeptides which are synthesized in the brain and can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). One of the best studied protein produced by neurons and involved in protection against their neurodegeneration is brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, it is know that astrocytes and microglia are also able to produce and release neuropeptides: glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and nerve growth factor (NGF), respectively. Moreover, these tissues are known to be involved in supporting of the physiological functioning of neurons. The most well-known environmental factors modifying the CNS activity are physical exercises and/or hypoxic condition. Therefore we investigated whether exercise performed on ergocycle to volitional exhaustion under normobaric hypoxia conditions (equivalent of 2000 m – 16.6% O2 – H2000, and 3000 m – 14.7% O2 – H3000) affects release of aforementioned neurotrophins in seven sedentary volunteers. In normoxic condition, in response to exercise the serum BDNF level decreases. The same effect was seen in low (H 2000) hypoxic conditions. However, the opposite effect occurred in moderate hypoxic conditions (H3000). There was no significant changes in serum GFAP and NGF levels before and after exercises in all investigated conditions. Our study provide evidence that exercise-induced activation of neurons depends on severity of acute hypoxia. Both exercise and acute hypoxia does not affect physiological state of astrocytes and microglia.