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GDF15 in Appetite and Exercise: Essential Player or Coincidental Bystander?
Anders B Klein1, Maximilian Kleinert2,3, Erik A Richter3
1Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Endocrinology
|December 1, 2021
Summary
Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) is a stress signal that lowers body weight. Exercise increases GDF15, but its role as an "exerkine" in metabolism and appetite requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Metabolism research
- Endocrinology
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) is a cellular stress signal.
- Pharmacological administration of GDF15 reduces food intake and body weight via the GFRAL receptor.
- Elevated GDF15 levels are observed in various diseases and with certain drug treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological implications of exercise-induced GDF15.
- To explore GDF15's potential role as an "exerkine" mediating organ-to-brain communication.
- To focus on the impact of exercise-induced GDF15 on appetite and metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of GDF15 research.
- Analysis of studies investigating GDF15 in response to exercise.
- Discussion of GDF15's mechanism of action and receptor interactions.
Main Results:
- Prolonged endurance exercise significantly increases circulating GDF15 levels.
- Exercise-induced GDF15 levels can rival those seen in pathological states or with metformin treatment.
- The precise physiological role of exercise-induced GDF15 remains under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Exercise increases GDF15, a factor known to influence appetite and body weight.
- Further research is needed to determine if GDF15 functions as a true "exerkine" or is a bystander.
- Understanding exercise-induced GDF15 may offer new insights into metabolic regulation.
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