GDF-15, a future therapeutic target of glucolipid metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease

Biomed Pharmacother. 2022 Feb:146:112582. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112582. Epub 2021 Dec 24.

Abstract

Growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) was discovered as a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily and the serum level of GDF-15 was significantly correlated with glucolipid metabolic disorders (GLMD) and cardiovascular diseases. In 2017, a novel identified receptor of GDF-15-glial-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha-like (GFRAL) was found to regulate energy homeostasis (such as obesity, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)). The function of GDF-15/GFRAL in suppressing appetite, enhancing glucose/lipid metabolism and vascular remodeling has been gradually revealed. These effects make it a potential therapeutic target for GLMD and vascular diseases. In this narrative review, we included and reviewed 121 articles by screening 524 articles from literature database. We primarily focused on the function of GDF-15 and its role in GLMD/cardiovascular diseases and discuss its potential clinical application.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Diabetes; Growth and differentiation factor 15(GDF-15); Hypertension; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); Obesity.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Atherosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Diabetes Mellitus / physiopathology
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / chemistry
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Metabolic Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / physiopathology
  • Obesity / physiopathology

Substances

  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15