Serum GDF15 Level Is Independent of Sarcopenia in Older Asian Adults

Abstract

Background: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), induced by tissue inflammation and mitochondrial stress, has received significant attention as a biomarker of mitochondrial dysfunction and has been implicated in various age-related diseases. However, the association between circulating GDF15 and sarcopenia-associated outcomes in older adults remains to be established. Aim: To validate previous experimental data and to investigate the possible role of GDF15 in aging and muscle physiology in humans, this study examined serum GDF15 levels in relation to sarcopenia-related parameters in a cohort of older Asian adults. Methods: Muscle mass and muscle function-related parameters, such as grip strength, gait speed, chair stands, and short physical performance battery score were evaluated by experienced nurses in 125 geriatric participants with or without sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the Asian-specific cutoff points. Serum GDF15 levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay kit. Results: Serum GDF15 levels were not significantly different according to sarcopenia status, muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance and were not associated with the skeletal muscle index, grip strength, gait speed, time to complete 5 chair stands, and short physical performance battery score, regardless of adjustments for sex, age, and BMI. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the definite role of GDF15 on muscle metabolism observed in animal models might not be evident in humans and that elevated GDF15 levels might not predict the risk for sarcopenia, at least in older Asian adults.

Growth differentiation factor-15 as a modulator of bone and muscle metabolism

“…Otherwise the mRNA expression levels of GDF-15 in the pronator quadratus muscle were significantly related to those variables. In one study, no significant correlations between circulating GDF-15 and muscle mass or strength were found in the elderly ( 34 ); another study that suggested plasma GDF-15 predicted sarcopenia-associated outcomes found no significant correlations between plasma GDF-15 levels and muscle mass or strength ( 12 ). The other study demonstrated that the expression levels of GDF-15 in muscle were negatively correlated with muscle weight and endurance capacity ( 10 ).…”

Identification of traumatic acid as a potential plasma biomarker for sarcopenia using a metabolomics‐based approach

“…A recent study with older Asian adults also reported similar results. These results may be because these patients often suffer from a variety of chronic diseases and the medication for these diseases may affect plasma GDF‐15 concentrations 40 . However, the tendency is similar as both traumatic acid and GDF‐15 levels progressively elevated in the three groups from younger adults to elderly subjects without sarcopenia, and to elderly subjects with sarcopenia.…”

The Cytokine Growth Differentiation Factor-15 and Skeletal Muscle Health: Portrait of an Emerging Widely Applicable Disease Biomarker

“…While a firm and consistent association of GDF-15 with muscle catabolism comes forward in animal studies, it is less so in human studies. Some studies link sarcopenia, frailty, and reduced physical performance in older individuals with higher levels of circulating GDF-15 [ 20 , 22 , 23 ], other studies report gender-specificity [ 24 ] or fail to observe an association [ 25 , 26 ], or report that GDF-15 levels cannot predict sarcopenia [ 27 ]. Further studies are needed to confirm or refute if measuring circulating GDF-15 levels is helpful to recognize sarcopenia early in elderly individuals.…”