Relation between plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in the male patients with alcohol dependence

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are thought to be related to neuroprotection in cell culture and animal studies. Our aim was to verify the changes in human plasma BDNF and NGF concentrations induced by chronic alcohol use. Forty-one male patients with alcohol dependence were sampled the next morning of admission and compared with 41 healthy male subjects. Plasma BDNF and NGF were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mean plasma BDNF level was significantly higher in the patients with alcohol dependence (3502.21 ± 1726.9 pg/mL) compared with the healthy subjects (861.75 ± 478.9 pg/mL) (P = .000). Mean plasma NGF level was also significantly higher in patients with alcohol dependence (137.64 ± 32.7 pg/mL) than in healthy subjects (112.61 ± 90.2 pg/mL) (P = .012). Plasma BDNF and NGF levels showed significant negative correlation in alcohol dependence group (r = −0.388, P = .012). Increased plasma BDNF and NGF with negative correlation in alcohol-dependent patients may have some role in the regeneration of damage done by chronic alcohol use.