Effect of Clotting Duration and Temperature on BDNF Measurement in Human Serum

Abstract

Brain-derived neurothrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin expressed in different tissues and cells, including neurons, endothelial cells, leukocytes, megakaryocytes and platelets. Modifications of BDNF in plasma and/or in serum are associated with neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and with mortality risk. Indeed, changes in blood levels of BDNF may reflect those of its tissue of origin and/or promote pathological dysfunctions. The measurement of BDNF amount in plasma or in serum has been characterized with particular attention in the impact of different anti-coagulants, clotting duration, temperature (≤21 °C) and delay in blood sample centrifugation as well as in stability of storage. However, the influences of normothermic conditions (37 °C) and of clotting duration on BDNF levels in human serum have not been investigated yet. Here, we showed that time and temperature during serum preparation could be taken into consideration to assess the association and/or impact of BDNF levels in the occurrence of pathological conditions.

Keywords: BDNF; clotting duration; serum; temperature.

Figure 1

Time course of BDNF (brain-derived neurothrophic factor) concentration in serum obtained at RT (black dot) and at 37 °C (white dot). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM from 6 individuals. * p < 0.05 and ** p < 0.001.

Figure 2

BDNF released from platelet rich plasma (PRP) activated with different concentration of collagen at 37 °C for 5 min under stirring condition (1200 rpm). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM from 6 individuals. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.005 versus control (collagen 0 µg/mL), and ° p < 0.05 versus collagen 0.12–0.25 μg/mL.