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GDF15 Is Elevated in Eating Disorders and Is Involved in the Gut-Brain Axis via Ghrelin
Livio Tarchi1, Giulia Brancolini1, Sara Giachetti1
1Department of Health Sciences, Center for Integrated Translational Research and Knowledge Transfer (INCLINE), University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Summary
Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) is elevated in patients with eating disorders and correlates with ghrelin and BMI. This study explores GDF15
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) is known to regulate appetite and metabolic responses.
- Its specific role in eating disorders has not been previously investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the serum levels of GDF15 in individuals with eating disorders.
- To explore the relationship between GDF15, ghrelin, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in this population.
Main Methods:
- Serum levels of GDF15 and ghrelin were measured in 145 participants (patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and healthy controls).
- Immunoassays were used for serum level quantification.
- Statistical analyses included ANCOVA, Spearman correlation, and linear regression.
Main Results:
- Ghrelin levels were significantly higher in patients with eating disorders compared to controls.
- GDF15 serum levels showed a significant positive correlation with ghrelin and a negative correlation with BMI.
- GDF15 predicted BMI in patients with anorexia nervosa and healthy individuals, being elevated at lower BMIs, with ghrelin mediating this effect.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of elevated GDF15 serum levels in patients with eating disorders.
- A novel positive correlation between GDF15 and ghrelin serum levels was identified.
- These findings offer new insights into the potential role of GDF15 in the pathophysiology of eating disorders.
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