Correlation between serum GDF-15 and nutritional state in adults
Abstract Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a factor that inhibits macrophage activation and regulates energy balance; its levels increase with inflammation, hypoxia, trauma, ischemic heart disease, and various cancers. Recently, it was demonstrated that GDF-15 suppresses food intake. Obje...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2025-07-01
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| Series: | The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43162-025-00483-0 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a factor that inhibits macrophage activation and regulates energy balance; its levels increase with inflammation, hypoxia, trauma, ischemic heart disease, and various cancers. Recently, it was demonstrated that GDF-15 suppresses food intake. Objective To investigate the relation of serum GDF-15 levels with nutritional state assessed with the eating disorder examination (EDE) questionnaire 6.0 and MAUC. Methods This study was conducted on 93 Egyptian subjects aged 18 to 60 years, classified according to BMI into three groups, each including 31 individuals: group I (underweight group), group II (average weight group), and group III (overweight group). They were subjected to detailed medical history and nutritional history using the EDE-questionnaire, and anthropometric measures include body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and serum levels of GDF-15. Results High levels of GDF-15 were noted in patients with high weight (r = 0.322, P = 0.002), BMI (r = 0.269, P = 0.009), and waist circumference (r = 0.253, P = 0.01). The global score of the EDE questionnaire was higher among the overweight and underweight (P < 0.001), signifying the presence of eating disorder in these groups. No significant relation was found between GDF-15 levels and EDE-Q results or MUAC among the studied groups. Conclusion Both the underweight and overweight groups showed a presence of eating disorders. MUAC is a good measure for nutritional state with positive associations with hemoglobin, HbA1C, BMI, and waist circumference. The overweight population had the highest serum GDF-15 level, so GDF-15 is a potential marker for obesity and may be a predictor of early obesity-induced inflammation. No significant relation was found between serum GDF-15 and eating disorders or nutritional status. |
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| ISSN: | 2090-9098 |