The endogenous and exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor plays pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of stroke onset in high salt-loaded hypertensive rats

摘要

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to have neuroprotective effects on multiple neurovascular diseases especially poststroke recovery. On the other hand, BDNF reported to increase blood pressure (BP) which is one of the major risk factors for stroke onset. To clarify the conflicting effects on stroke onset, we examined the expression of endogenous BDNF in relation to stroke onset. In addition, we explored the effect of exogenous central BDNF against stroke onset and all-cause mortality as the primary endpoint and BP as the secondary object in hypertensive rats with high-salt diet.