BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and BDNF levels in obese pregnant women

Background: Maternal obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic alterations that may affect the intrauterine environment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an essential role in neuronal growth, neurogenesis, differentiation, and synaptic plasticity. The BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism is a common genetic variant that may alter activity-dependent BDNF secretion. However, data regarding the distribution of this polymorphism and BDNF levels in obese pregnant women remain limited. The objective is to investigate the distribution of the BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism and to determine maternal and umbilical cord blood BDNF levels among obese pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional observational analytical study included 72 full-term obese pregnant women of Minangkabau ethnicity. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while BDNF concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Genotype distribution and BDNF concentrations were analyzed descriptively and statistically. Results: The mutant BDNF Val66Met genotype was identified in 80.6% of the participants. The mean BDNF concentration in umbilical cord blood was 2.36 ng/ml, which was higher than the mean maternal BDNF concentration of 2.04 ng/ml. The findings demonstrated a high prevalence of the BDNF Val66Met mutant genotype and differences in BDNF concentrations between maternal and umbilical cord blood among obese pregnant women. Conclusions: The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was frequently observed among obese pregnant women. Umbilical cord blood BDNF concentrations were higher than maternal BDNF concentrations, indicating differences in maternal-fetal BDNF regulation in obese pregnancies. These findings provide insights into the genetic variation and BDNF profile associated with maternal obesity.