Growth and differentiation factor 15 as a biomarker for mitochondrial myopathy

Mitochondrion. 2020 Jan:50:35-41. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2019.10.005. Epub 2019 Oct 26.

Abstract

Objective: We investigated if Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) can be used as a biomarker to distinguish patients with mitochondrial myopathy from patients with other myopathies.

Methods: Serum GDF-15 was measured in 28 patients with mitochondrial disease, 24 with metabolic myopathies, 27 with muscular dystrophy and 21 healthy controls.

Results and conclusions: Our findings indicate that elevated GDF-15 can distinguish patients with mitochondrial myopathy from other myopathies, including metabolic myopathies. This suggests that increases in GDF-15 is specific to respiratory chain dysfunction rather than general metabolic dysfunction or muscle defect.

Keywords: Exercise; Growth and differentiation factor 15; Metabolic myopathy; Mitochondrial myopathy; Muscular dystrophy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitochondrial Myopathies / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Myopathies / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Pilot Projects
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • GDF15 protein, human
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15