They identify a key genetic variant for predicting diabetes

The study highlights the role of GDF15 as a cytokine involved in the regulation of metabolism and immune response.

A team of researchers from CIBERDEM, IISPV and the University of Barcelona have identified a variant in the GDF15 gene (rs1054564) that can be used as a marker to predict the risk of type 2 diabetes and subclinical atherosclerosis. According to a study published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences

the rs1054564 variant is associated with increased levels of the GDF15 protein in the blood and a 16% increase in glucose levels. People with this variant are 2.4 times more likely to develop atherosclerotic plaques compared to those who do not carry it.

The study analyzed three genetic variants in a sample of 153 people, including both healthy people and patients with metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The results show that rs1054564 carriers have a significantly higher incidence of diabetes compared to non-carriers, highlighting the potential utility of this variant as a biomarker for metabolic diseases.

The study also highlights the role of GDF15 as a cytokine involved in the regulation of metabolism and immune response. GDF15 is associated with the metabolic stress response, a factor that contributes to poor glucose regulation and the development of atherosclerotic plaques, enhancing its role as a marker of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Montse Guardiola, the first signatory of the document, emphasized the need to expand the study to larger cohorts to confirm these results and evaluate their clinical feasibility. Researcher Ricardo Rodriguez-Calvo noted that these results allow us to move toward more personalized prevention strategies.

This study, which also included Emma Barroso Fernandez and Maria García-Altares, is part of the CIBERDEM PIM04 intramural project and was carried out by researchers Josep Ribalta, Francesco Xavier Corraig Blanchard and Manuel Vázquez Carrera, who have made significant contributions to understanding the role of GDF15 in these pathologies.