GDF-15 as a target and biomarker for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases: A translational prospective

Growth differentiation factor-15 (gdf-15) is a stress responsive cytokine. it is highly expressed in cardiomyocytes,adipocytes,macrophages,endothelial cells,and vascular smooth muscle cells in normal and pathological condition. gdf-15 increases during tissue injury and inflammatory states and is associated with cardiometabolic risk. increased gdf-15 levels are associated with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertrophy,heart failure,atherosclerosis,endothelial dysfunction,obesity,insulin resistance,diabetes,and chronic kidney diseases in diabetes. increased gdf-15 level is linked with the progression and prognosis of the disease condition. age,smoking,and environmental factors are other risk factors that may increase gdf-15 level. most of the scientific studies reported that gdf-15 plays a protective role in different tissues. however,few reports show that the deficiency of gdf-15 is beneficial against vascular injury and inflammation. gdf-15 protects heart,adipose tissue,and endothelial cells by inhibiting jnk (c-jun n-terminal kinase),bad (bcl-2-associated death promoter),and egfr (epidermal growth factor receptor) and activating smad,enos,pi3k,and akt signaling pathways. the present review describes the different animal and clinical studies and patent updates of gdf-15 in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. it is a challenge for the scientific community to use gdf-15 information for patient monitoring,clinical decision-making,and replacement of current treatment strategies for diabetic and cardiovascular diseases. © 2015 ramu adela and sanjay k. banerjee.