Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Is Related to Anemia and Iron Metabolism in Heart Allograft Recipients and Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Physiological Role of Serum Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) Level and Iron Metabolism in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Background Anemia is common in older adults and, together with heart failure and chronic kidney disease, forms a vicious cycle, whereas diseases such as chronic inflammation and cancer are associated with the anemia of chronic disease (ACD). Researchers have linked growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) to a variety of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, inflammation, cancer, and kidney disease, and have reported hepcidin as a biomarker for iron regulation in ACD. Therefore, anemia, GDF-15, and hepcidin have significance in aging physiology. Hypothesis GDF-15 and hepcidin play important physiological roles in community-dwelling older adults. This study sought to explore the relationship between these biomarkers and anemia, inflammation, or other health outcomes. Methods This was a prospective study of 73 community-dwelling older adults (six men and 67 women, mean age of 76.3 years). Their serum iron level, percentage transferrin saturation (TSAT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess their serum GDF-15, ferritin, and hepcidin levels. The participants' grip strength and walking speed were measured. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) of each participant was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results The GDF-15 level was significantly inversely correlated with serum iron, ferritin, and hepcidin levels; percentage TSAT; the eGFR; and gait speed. Serum hepcidin was positively correlated with levels of ferritin, albumin, and hemoglobin. Handgrip strength, SMI, and hs-CRP were not correlated with either GDF-15 or hepcidin levels. After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), multivariate analysis identified the log GDF-15 and serum iron level (log GDF-15: β=-0.248, iron: β=0.296) as significant factors determining hemoglobin levels, whose findings have significance due to novel results. Multivariate analysis identified eGFR and levels of hemoglobin and hepcidin as significant factors associated with log GDF-15 (eGFR: β=-0.406, hemoglobin: β=-0.269, hepcidin: β=-0.235). Similarly, ferritin and albumin levels were identified as significant factors associated with hepcidin levels (ferritin: β=0.590, Alb: β=0.277). Conclusions Anemia in community-dwelling older adults was determined not only by increasing serum iron levels but also by decreasing GDF-15 levels. Also, the increasing GDF-15 level was determined by a decreasing hepcidin level as well as the presence of anemia and renal dysfunction, and the decreasing hepcidin level was determined by decreasing stored iron and decreasing albumin levels. Serum GDF-15 and hepcidin could potentially inform diagnostic or treatment strategies for anemia or age-related health conditions.

The association between growth differentiation factor 15 and presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis

PURPOSE

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and is faintly expressed under healthy conditions. GDF-15 is markedly elevated in a variety of diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Here, we aimed to investigate the association of GDF-15 with the extent and severity of CAD in patients with stable CAD.

METHODS

We enrolled 129 patients undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of stable CAD in the study. SYNTAX and SYNTAX II PCI/CABG scores were calculated. The CAD (+) study group was also stratified into two groups (high and low GDF-15) with respect to the mean GDF-15 value. Correlation and regression analyses were performed for further evaluation.

RESULTS

Of the 129 patients, 75 had CAD. GDF-15 values were higher in the CAD (+) group (p ​< ​0.001). The two groups were compared according to a cut-off value of 2451.77. SYNTAX and SYNTAX II PCI/CABG scores were significantly associated with the high GDF-15 group (p ​< ​0.001). Additionally, correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between GDF-15 and SYNTAX (r: 0.859, p ​< ​0.001), SYNTAX II PCI (r: 0.921, p ​< ​0.001) and SYNTAX II CABG (r: 0.874, p ​< ​0.001) scores. Multivariate analysis identified GDF-15 as an independent predictor of CAD.

CONCLUSION

GDF-15 is an independent predictor of CAD and is associated with CAD severity in terms of SYNTAX, SYNTAX II PCI and SYNTAX II CABG scores.

Utility of growth differentiation factor-15 as a predictor of cardiovascular surgery outcomes: Current research and future directions

In a world increasingly confronted by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and an aging population, accurate risk assessment prior to cardiac surgery is critical. Although effective, traditional risk calculators such as the Japan SCORE, Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, and EuroSCORE II may not completely capture contemporary risks, particularly due to emerging factors such as frailty and sarcopenia. These calculators often focus on regional and ethnic specificity and rely heavily on evaluations based on age and underlying diseases. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine that has been identified as a potential biomarker for sarcopenia and a tool for future cardiac risk assessment. Preoperative plasma GDF-15 levels have been associated with preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors and short- and long-term mortality rates in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Increased plasma GDF-15 levels have prognostic significance, having been correlated with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass during surgery, amount of bleeding, postoperative acute kidney injury, and intensive care unit stay duration. Notably, the inclusion of preoperative levels of GDF-15 in risk stratification models enhances their predictive value, especially when compared with those of the N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide, which does not lead to reclassification. Thus, this review examines traditional risk assessments for cardiac surgery and the role of the novel biomarker GDF-15. This study acknowledges that the relationship between patient outcomes and elevated GDF-15 levels is not limited to CVDs or cardiac surgery but can be associated with variable diseases, including diabetes and cancer. Moreover, the normal range of GDF-15 is not well defined. Given its promise for improving patient care and outcomes in cardiovascular surgery, future research should explore the potential of GDF-15 as a biomarker for postoperative outcomes and target therapeutic intervention.

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 and Clinical Outcomes in Japanese Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is an increasing health problem associated with a high mortality rate. Growth differentiation factor (GDF) 15, a stress response cytokine belonging to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is associated with poor clinical outcomes in a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. However, the prognostic usefulness of GDF15 in Japanese patients with HF remains unclear.Methods and Results: We measured serum concentrations of GDF15 and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in 1,201 patients with HF. All patients were prospectively followed for a median period of 1,309 days. In all, 319 HF-related events and 187 all-cause deaths occurred during the follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that, among GDF15 tertiles, the highest tertile group had the greatest risk of HF-related events and all-cause mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis demonstrated that the serum GDF15 concentration was an independent predictor of HF-related events and all-cause deaths after adjusting for confounding risk factors. Serum GDF15 improved the prediction capacity for all-cause deaths and HF-related events with a significant net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement. Subgroup analysis in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction also showed the prognostic usefulness of GDF15.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum GDF15 concentrations were associated with HF severity and clinical outcomes, indicating that GDF15 could provide additional clinical information to track the health status of patients with HF.

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 and Clinical Outcomes in Japanese Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease

Background

Despite a reduction in the rate of thrombotic events, ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains a key medical problem associated with high major bleeding and mortality in Asian patients with IHD. Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, a stress-response cytokine belonging to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, is reportedly associated with poor clinical outcomes in Western patients with IHD. However, the clinical significance of GDF-15 in Asian patients with IHD has not yet been fully elucidated.

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of serum GDF-15 on clinical outcomes in Japanese patients with IHD.

Methods

Serum GDF-15 levels were evaluated in 632 consecutive patients with IHD. All patients were followed up for a median period of 2.8 years. The primary endpoint was the all-cause mortality rate. Secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), heart failure (HF)-related rehospitalization, bleeding, and thrombotic events.

Results

Serum GDF-15 levels were elevated in acute coronary syndrome, severe coronary artery disease, and the major Japanese version of the high bleeding risk criteria. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that GDF-15 was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, MACE, HF-related rehospitalizations, and bleeding events after adjusting for confounding risk factors but not for thrombotic events. Adding GDF-15 to risk factors significantly improved the net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement for all-cause deaths, MACE, HF-related rehospitalization, and bleeding events.

Conclusions

Serum GDF-15 could be a feasible marker for major bleeding and adverse clinical outcomes in Japanese patients with IHD.

Growth differentiation factor 15 predicts poor prognosis in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction and anemia: results from RED-HF

Aims

We aimed to assess the value of GDF-15, a stress-responsive cytokine, in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and anemia

Methods and results

Serum GDF-15 was assessed in 1582 HFrEF and mild-to-moderate anemia patients who where followed for 28 months in the Reduction of Events by Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure (RED-HF) trial, an overall neutral RCT evaluating the effect darbepoetin alfa on clinical outcomes in patients with systolic heart failure and mild-to-moderate anemia. Association between baseline and change in GDF-15 during 6 months follow-up and the primary composite outcome of all-cause death or HF hospitalization were evaluated in multivariable Cox-models adjusted for conventional clinical and biochemical risk factors. The adjusted risk for the primary outcome increased with (i) successive tertiles of baseline GDF-15 (tertile 3 HR 1.56 [1.23–1.98] p < 0.001) as well as with (ii) a 15% increase in GDF-15 levels over 6 months of follow-up (HR 1.68 [1.38–2.06] p < 0.001). Addition of change in GDF-15 to the fully adjusted model improved the C-statistics (p < 0.001). No interaction between treatment and baseline or change in GDF-15 on outcome was observed. GDF-15 was inversely associated with several indices of anemia and correlated positively with ferritin.

Conclusions

In patients with HF and anemia, both higher baseline serum GDF-15 levels and an increase in GDF-15 during follow-up, were associated with worse clinical outcomes. GDF-15 did not identify subgroups of patients who might benefit from correction of anemia but was associated with several indices of anemia and iron status in the HF patients.

Graphic abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00392-021-01944-6.

Elevated Plasma Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 Predicts Incident Anemia in Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Older

Anemia is common in older adults and associated with greater morbidity and mortality. The causes of anemia in older adults have not been completely characterized. Although elevated circulating growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has been associated with anemia in older adults, it is not known whether elevated GDF-15 predicts the development of anemia. We examined the relationship between plasma GDF-15 concentrations at baseline in 708 nonanemic adults, aged 60 years and older, with incident anemia during 15 years of follow-up among participants in the Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) Study. During follow-up, 179 (25.3%) participants developed anemia. The proportion of participants who developed anemia from the lowest to highest quartile of plasma GDF-15 was 12.9%, 20.1%, 21.2%, and 45.8%, respectively. Adults in the highest quartile of plasma GDF-15 had an increased the risk of developing anemia (hazards ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.09, 1.21, p < .0001) compared to those in the lower 3 quartiles in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for age, sex, serum iron, soluble transferrin receptor, ferritin, vitamin B12, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Circulating GDF-15 is an independent predictor for the development of anemia in older adults.

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Is Associated With Major Amputation and Mortality in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is one of the most common clinical presentations of atherosclerosis, and its prevalence is still increasing. Despite improvement of health care, morbidity and mortality risks remain high, including the risk of amputation. GDF15 (growth differentiation factor 15) is a member of the transforming growth factor family that is involved in apoptosis and inflammation; therefore, GDF15 is a potential biomarker to identify patients at high risk of adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods and Results

Circulating GDF15 levels were measured using a multiplex immunoassay in patients with critical limb ischemia and PAD from 2 different patient cohorts that included patients with clinically manifest PAD: the JUVENTAS (Rejuvenating Endothelial Progenitor Cells via Transcutaneous Intra‐Arterial Supplementation) trial (n=160, 67 major events; critical limb ischemia) and the Athero‐Express Biobank (n=386, 64 major events; PAD). Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated that high levels of GDF15 were associated with increased risk of major events, defined as major amputation (at or above the ankle joint) and all‐cause mortality, in both cohorts (highest versus lowest, JUVENTAS: hazard ratio: 4.01 [95% confidence interval, 2.05–7.84; P<0.0001]; Athero‐Express: hazard ratio: 3.27 [95% confidence interval, 1.64–6.54; P=0.0008]). In the JUVENTAS trial, this was more pronounced in women. Cox proportional multivariable regression models with median follow‐up of 3 years, corrected for common confounders, showed hazard ratios of 1.70 (95% confidence interval, 1.18–2.69; P=0.0053) and 1.57 (95% confidence interval, 1.02–2.41; P=0.041) per 2.78‐fold increase of GDF15 in JUVENTAS and Athero‐Express, respectively.

Conclusions

High GDF15 levels are associated with increased risk of major amputation and/or death in PAD patients. GDF15 levels could be of additive value to identify patients who are at high risk of amputation or death and could help guide treatment choices.

GDF-15, iron, and inflammation in early chronic kidney disease among elderly patients

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to assess GDF-15 and iron status in patients in early stages of chronic kidney disease with a particular emphasis on elderly population in association of classic iron status parameters with novel iron homeostasis biomarkers and inflammatory parameters.

METHODS

Serum concentrations of GDF-15, iron (Fe), transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hepcidin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and hemoglobin were measured in 56 patients ≥65 years of age and in 31 <65 years of age.

RESULTS

In patients ≥65 years, serum concentrations of GDF-15 and hsCRP were significantly higher in comparison with younger group. There was no statistically significant difference in hemoglobin, iron, hepcidin, and sTfR concentration between the two studied groups. In both groups GDF-15 was significantly correlated with hemoglobin, eGFR, hsCRP, and IL-6. GDF-15 was significantly higher in patients with anemia in comparison with their non-anemic counterparts. In multivariate analysis, hemoglobin was found to be a predictor of log GDF-15 (beta value = 0.36, P = 0.006, R (2) = 37 %).

CONCLUSIONS

An intricate interplay between renal function, anemia, and GDF-15 concentrations awaits further studies, as there are few data regarding pathophysiological role of GDF-15 in diabetes, kidney disease, and other comorbidities. Further understanding regarding the signaling pathways of GDF-15 may help to discover next pieces in the exciting puzzle of GDF-15. Finally, as studies dealing with normal level of GDF-15 in the healthy aged are lacking, it is possible that the higher values of GDF-15 values found in the present study represent values of GDF-15 according to age more than CKD levels.