1 research outputs found
GDF15 Plasma Level Is Inversely Associated With Level of Physical Activity and Correlates With Markers of Inflammation and Muscle Weakness
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a stress molecule produced in response to
mitochondrial, metabolic and inflammatory stress with a number of beneficial effects on
metabolism. However, at the level of skeletal muscle it is still unclear whether GDF15 is
beneficial or detrimental. The aim of the study was to analyse the levels of circulating
GDF15 in people of different age, characterized by different level of physical activity
and to seek for correlation with hematological parameters related to inflammation. The
plasma concentration of GDF15 was determined in a total of 228 subjects in the age
range from 18 to 83 years. These subjects were recruited and divided into three different
groups based on the level of physical activity: inactive patients with lower limb mobility
impairment, active subjects represented by amateur endurance cyclists, and healthy
controls taken from the general population. Cyclists were sampled before and after
a strenuous physical bout (long distance cycling race). The plasma levels of GDF15
increase with age and are inversely associated with active lifestyle. In particular, at any
age, circulating GDF15 is significantly higher in inactive patients and significantly lower in
active people, such as cyclists before the race, with respect to control subjects. However,
the strenuous physical exercise causes in cyclists a dramatic increase of GDF15 plasma
levels, that after the race are similar to that of patients. Moreover, GDF15 plasma levels
significantly correlate with quadriceps torque in patients and with the number of total
leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes in both cyclists (before and after race) and
patients. Taken together, our data indicate that GDF15 is associated with decreased
muscle performance and increased inflammation