OBJECTIVE: Aim: To explore link between circulating Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) levels and atherogenic lipid parameters in individuals with diabetic dyslipidemia, and to evaluate whether GDF11 may serve as a potential biomarker to minimize atherosclerosis in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at AL-Hassn Metabolism, Endocrine, and Diabetes Center in Kerbala, Iraq, February-April, 2025. A 172 participants with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients with dyslipidemia (n=90, 52 male and 38 female), with 4 having type 1 diabetes, 86 having type 2 diabetes, and without dyslipidemia (n=86: 36 male and 46 female), with 28 having type 1 diabetes and 54 having type 2 diabetes. Ages 20-70 years, serum level of GDF11 was determined using ELISA method. Atherogenic marker measures include midkine, NLRP3 inflammasome, PPARy and oxidative stress. Additional data obtained included age, BMI, duration of diabetes, fasting glucose, and liver enzyme (ALT). Link between GDF11 and atherogenic markers was assessed using Spearman's correlation analysis to assess independent connections, multivariate regression analysis was performed, with adjustments for age, BMI, and glycemic control. RESULTS: Results: diabetic individuals with dyslipidemia had considerably greater levels of all biomarkers tested (GDF11, SOD, NLRP3, MIDKINE, and PPARy) than with diabetes alone. Diabetes and dyslipidemia are linked to increased oxidative stress (SOD), heightened inflammation (NLRP3, Midkine), and altered metabolic regulation (GDF11, ppary). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Diabetes with dyslipidemia linked to elevated levels of GDF11, SOD, NLRP3, midkine and PPARy, indicating increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation.
Ghafil et al. (2026) studied this question.