Age-Associated Increase in Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Levels Correlates With Central Arterial Stiffness and Predicts All-Cause Mortality in a Sardinian Population Cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) levels are emerging as a candidate biomarker of aging. The present study aimed to: (1) characterize the association of GDF-15 with the continuum of arterial stiffening, assessed as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, as age increases; (2) determine the predictive role of serum GDF-15 levels on mortality; and (3) identify genetic determinants of serum GDF-15 levels.

Methods and results

Serum levels of GDF-15 and established cardiovascular risk factors, including pulse wave velocity, were assessed in a large (4736 individual) Sardinian population. Serum levels of GDF-15, which can be reliably measured repeatedly over time, increase with age; are associated with a stiffer aorta; "mediate" a large proportion of the age-associ

SUBMITTER: Oppong R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12184560 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature