EXPLORING BDNF'S ROLE IN NERVE INJURY RECOVERY: TRANSCRIPTOMIC INSIGHTS AND NEUROPROTECTIVE MECHANISMS IN SPORTS-RELATED PERIPHERAL NERVE DAMAGE

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) significantly compromises athletic performance and quality of life, exerting considerable demand on sports medicine and rehabilitation services. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is recognized for its critical role in nerve protection and repair post-injury, yet the specific mechanisms through which it operates in athletes remain to be fully elucidated. This study focuses on the role of BDNF in the context of sports-related peripheral nerve injuries by employing transcriptomic analysis. Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing data from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells of mice collected 3 days post-injury, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and conducted comprehensive functional annotations, including Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes and KEGG pathway analyses. Our findings indicate a significant upregulation of BDNF post-injury, correlated with key genes in the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, both of which are crucial for nerve protection and regeneration. The increased expression of BDNF and its association with these pathways highlight its potential as a target for enhancing recovery in athletes suffering from peripheral nerve damage. The implications of these findings suggest that augmenting BDNF-mediated pathways could accelerate nerve recovery and potentially improve rehabilitation outcomes, making it a promising area for further research and clinical application in sports medicine.