GDF11 Decreases Pressure Overload-Induced Hypertrophy, but Can Cause Severe Cachexia and Premature Death.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Possible beneficial effects of GDF11 (growth differentiation factor 11) on the normal, diseased, and aging heart have been reported, including reversing aging-induced hypertrophy. These effects have not been well validated. High levels of GDF11 have also been shown to cause cardiac and skeletal muscle wasting. These controversies could be resolved if dose-dependent effects of GDF11 were defined in normal and aged animals as well as in pressure overload-induced pathological hypertrophy.

Objective

To determine dose-dependent effects of GDF11 on normal hearts and those with pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods and results

Twelve- to 13-week-old C57BL/6 mice underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery. One-week post-TAC, these mice r

SUBMITTER: Harper SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6309347 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature