Observational studyInternational journal of molecular sciences2025
Elevated Plasma BDNF in Early Primary Biliary Cholangitis: Associations with Liver Fibrosis, IL-6, IL-18, Fatigue, and Cognitive Impairment.
Observational study in International journal of molecular sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Circulating matrix metalloproteinase profile in early-stage primary biliary cholangitis.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Current Treatment of Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Comprehensive Review.The Turkish journal of gastroenterology : the official journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND
aimsPrimary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease frequently associated with fatigue and mild cognitive impairment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays key roles in neuroplasticity, immune regulation, and metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate plasma BDNF levels in early-stage PBC and examine their clinical and biochemical associations.
methodsIn this observational study, plasma BDNF, IL-6, and IL-18 concentrations were measured by ELISA in 45 patients with early-stage PBC and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (mean age 60.5 years; 96% women). All participants underwent liver elastography using point shear wave elastography (ElastPQ), Doppler ultrasound, laboratory testing, and assessment of cognitive function (PHES) and fatigue severity (MFIS). Non-invasive fibrosis scores (APRI, FIB-4) were calculated.
resultsMedian plasma BDNF concentrations were significantly higher in PBC patients than in controls [median: 21.04 ng/mL (IQR: 10.68-38.07) vs. 5.80 ng/mL (IQR: 4.58-7.54);
conclusionsPlasma BDNF concentrations are elevated in early-stage PBC and inversely correlate with liver fibrosis severity. No significant associations were found with hepatocellular injury, cognitive function, or fatigue. These findings suggest that BDNF may play a protective role against hepatic fibrogenesis, or alternatively, that BDNF concentrations may decline with advancing liver disease. Further studies are needed to clarify its significance in PBC.
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