Recent clinical trials have shown that biological markers presumably natriuretic peptides, galectin-3, soluble ST2 could be the best tool for cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification in general population as well as in individuals with CV diseases. However, abilities of these biomarkers to predict CV mortality rate are variable and depends on age, sex, kidney function and metabolic comorbidities. Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) belongs to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily that regulates mitochondrial function of wide range of cells that involve in inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, immune reaction, fibrosis, reparation and malignancy. This short commentary is depicted the possibilities to extrapolate the predictive capabilities of GDF-15 from metabolic and tumor diseases to CV diseases.
