May BDNF be implicated in the exercise-mediated regulation of inflammation? critical review and synthesis of evidence
Journal
Biological Research for Nursing
Date Issued
October 8, 2014
DOI
10.1177/1099800414555411
Abstract
Introduction: Exercise attenuates inflammation and enhances levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Exercise also
enhances parasympathetic tone, although its role in activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is unclear. The physiological
pathways of exercise’s effect on inflammation are obscure. Aims: To critically review the evidence on the role of BDNF in
the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise and its potential involvement in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Methods:
Critical literature review of studies published in MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Results: BDNF
is critically involved in the bidirectional signaling between immune and neurosensory cells and in the regulation of parasympathetic
system responses. BDNF is also intricately involved in the inflammatory response: inflammation induces BDNF production, and, in
turn, BDNF exerts pro- and/or anti-inflammatory effects. Although exercise modulates BDNF and its receptors in lymphocytes,
data on BDNF’s immunoregulatory/anti-inflammatory effects in relation to exercise are scarce. Moreover, BDNF increases
cholinergic activity and is modulated by parasympathetic system activation. However, its involvement in the cholinergic antiinflammatory
pathway has not been investigated. Conclusion: Converging lines of evidence implicate BDNF in exercisemediated
regulation of inflammation; however, data are insufficient to draw concrete conclusions. We suggest that there is a need
to investigate BDNF as a potential modulator/mediator of the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise and of the cholinergic antiinflammatory
pathway during exercise. Such research would have implications for a wide range of inflammatory diseases and for
planning targeted exercise protocols.
enhances parasympathetic tone, although its role in activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is unclear. The physiological
pathways of exercise’s effect on inflammation are obscure. Aims: To critically review the evidence on the role of BDNF in
the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise and its potential involvement in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Methods:
Critical literature review of studies published in MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Results: BDNF
is critically involved in the bidirectional signaling between immune and neurosensory cells and in the regulation of parasympathetic
system responses. BDNF is also intricately involved in the inflammatory response: inflammation induces BDNF production, and, in
turn, BDNF exerts pro- and/or anti-inflammatory effects. Although exercise modulates BDNF and its receptors in lymphocytes,
data on BDNF’s immunoregulatory/anti-inflammatory effects in relation to exercise are scarce. Moreover, BDNF increases
cholinergic activity and is modulated by parasympathetic system activation. However, its involvement in the cholinergic antiinflammatory
pathway has not been investigated. Conclusion: Converging lines of evidence implicate BDNF in exercisemediated
regulation of inflammation; however, data are insufficient to draw concrete conclusions. We suggest that there is a need
to investigate BDNF as a potential modulator/mediator of the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise and of the cholinergic antiinflammatory
pathway during exercise. Such research would have implications for a wide range of inflammatory diseases and for
planning targeted exercise protocols.