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GDF-15: Can It Be Used as a Biomarker in Acute Cerebrovascular Incidents?
Areti Kourti1, Eirini Keskilidou1, Alexandra Skoura1
1Laboratory of Biochemistry, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Insights
Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) correlates with inflammation markers in acute cerebrovascular incidents. GDF-15 may help assess stroke severity and inflammatory burden.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is linked to organ injury, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
- Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) indicates inflammation intensity in various diseases.
- GDF-15 and suPAR are potential biomarkers in acute conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare GDF-15 serum levels in acute cerebrovascular incident patients versus healthy controls.
- Investigate correlations between GDF-15, C-reactive protein (CRP), and suPAR in patients and controls.
- Evaluate GDF-15's role in acute cerebrovascular injury and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study design.
- Inclusion of 31 patients with acute cerebrovascular incidents and 18 age-matched healthy controls.
- Measurement of serum GDF-15, plasma suPAR, and serum CRP levels.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlation found between GDF-15 and suPAR (rs = 0.516, p = 0.003) in patients.
- Significant positive correlation observed between GDF-15 and CRP (rs = 0.409, p = 0.022) in patients.
- No significant correlations were found in the healthy control group.
Conclusions:
- Inflammation plays a critical role in acute cerebrovascular injury.
- GDF-15 may serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing stroke severity.
- GDF-15 can aid in evaluating the inflammatory burden associated with cerebrovascular events.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a protein that belongs to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and has been found elevated in cases of organ injury such as liver, kidney, heart, and lung, as well as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a protein which is expressed mainly on immune cells and endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and is a marker of severity and intensity of inflammation in acute and chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to compare GDF-15 serum levels between patients with acute cerebrovascular incidents and healthy controls and to investigate the possible correlation of GDF-15 serum levels and inflammatory markers, such as serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma suPAR, in the above-mentioned groups. Methods: This is a retrospective study. Thirty-one patients were included in the study, with a mean age ± SD of 67 ± 13 years, compared to 18 age-matched healthy controls. Results: In the patient group a statistically significant positive correlation of serum levels of GDF15 values with suPAR and CRP emerged (rs = 0.516, p = 0.003) and (rs = 0.409, p = 0.022), respectively, and no significant correlation was found in the group of controls (rs = 0.271, p = 0.277) and (rs = 0.423, p = 0.080), respectively. Conclusions: These findings support the role of inflammation as a key underlying mechanism in acute cerebrovascular injury and suggest that GDF-15 may serve as a valuable adjunct biomarker for assessing disease severity and inflammatory burden.
