Growth differentiation factor‐15 is independently associated with metabolic syndrome and hyperglycemia in non‐elderly subjects

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major health issue worldwide accompanied by cardiovascular comorbidities. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine expressed in cardiomyocytes, adipocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Previous research in elderly subjects revealed that GDF-15 levels were associated with the MetS. However, the association between GDF-15 levels and MetS or its components in the non-elderly subjects remains unclear. In this study, a total of 279 subjects younger than 65-year-old with (n = 84) or without (n = 195) MetS were recruited. MetS was defined according to modified NCEP/ATP III criteria. The GDF-15 levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors independently associated with GDF-15 levels. Subjects with MetS had higher GDF-15 levels than those without MetS (median (interquartile range), 1.72 ng/mL (1.38, 2.26) vs. 1.63 ng/mL (1.27, 2.07), P = 0.037). With the number of MetS components increased, the GDF-15 levels increased significantly (P for trend = 0.005). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of MetS was positively associated with the GDF-15 levels (β = 0.132, P = 0.037). When substituting MetS with its components, only the presence of hyperglycemia was positively associated with the GDF-15 levels after adjustment for covariates (β = 0.193, P = 0.003).

Relationships between Circulating Biomarkers and Body Composition Parameters in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Community-Based Study

“…Our study shows a consistently significant association between GDF-15 circulating levels and MetS score. GDF-15 blood levels were proposed to be a clinically relevant biomarker within the context of MetS, as they have been associated with several MetS components, such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia [67][68][69][70][71], high waist circumference, WHR and CRP, and low HDL-C [18,72]. In animal models, GDF-15 showed anorectic activity, mainly through a reduction in food intake, suggesting that it may counteract the development of MetS, particularly through weight reduction [73].…”

Growth differentiation factor-15/adiponectin ratio as a potential biomarker for metabolic syndrome in Han Chinese

“…found GDF-15 levels were positively related to the presence of MS, after recruiting 279 subjects younger than 65 years old. When substituting MS with its components, only hyperglycemia was positively correlated with GDF-15 levels ( 28 ). In the present study, GDF-15 levels were not associated with MS and its components in all participants aged 20–70 years and subgroups stratified by age and sex.…”

Nausea, vomiting and conflict in pregnancy

“…GDF15 regulates a variety of functions, including food intake (via appetite and nausea induction), expenditure of energy, and bodily responses to stresses including infection and injury [ 15 , 18 ]. These roles are mediated by various mechanisms, including increases in catabolism relative to anabolism, as indicated, in part, by increases in serum glucose and triglycerides in association with increased GDF15 levels among healthy, non-pregnant subjects [ 15 , 19 , 20 ].…”