Inter-relation between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and antioxidant enzymes in bipolar disorder

Objectives Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress and neurotrophins have a bidirectional relationship. In this post hoc, exploratory analysis, we investigated the association between plasma brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls. Methods We measured plasma levels of BDNF and activities of GPx and SOD in individuals with BD (n=59) and healthy controls (n=26). Information related to current and past psychiatric/medical history, as well as to metabolic comorbidities, was also reported. Results There were negative correlations between BDNF, GPx (r=−.449, P≤.001) and GPx/SOD ratio (r=−.503, P