BACKGROUND: Neurotrophins are related with depressive disorders. Significant neurotrophins variations occur during renal replacement therapy, but whether peri-hemodialysis availability is associated with depression in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is yet unclear. AIM: To determine dynamic concentrations of neurotrophins in the peri-hemodialysis range and their association with depressive symptoms in patients with CKD. METHODS: Pre-, and post-hemodialysis plasma concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), as well as their plasma clearance rates, were determined (multiplexing) in patients with stage 5 CKD. Depressive symptoms, as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), were determined. Finally, the bioavailability of BDNF and NGF was related to the score of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were divided according to depressive symptoms. Pre-hemodialysis plasma BDNF was lower in patients with depressive disorder
whereas basal BDNF value >
220 pg/mL independently reduced the risk for depressive disorder (Odds Ratio 0.23, CONCLUSION: Higher plasma BDNF before hemodialysis reduces the risk of mild depression in patients with CKD under renal replacement therapy.