GDF15 Induces Anorexia through Nausea and Emesis.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Preclinical animal research across three species with no human subjects.
PubMed 31928886 · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2019.12.004
What was done
Researchers evaluated the effects of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) on feeding, vomiting, and nausea/malaise-like behaviors across three laboratory mammalian species: an emetic species (musk shrews, Suncus murinus) and non-emetic species (mice, plus lean and obese rats). They also tested whether GDF15 contributes to chemotherapy-induced malaise in mice.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values. Qualitatively, GDF15 administration induced emesis in musk shrews and elicited behaviors indicative of nausea and visceral malaise (including anorexia and pica) in mice and in both lean and obese rats. In mice, GDF15 was also shown to contribute to chemotherapy-induced malaise.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that GDF15-driven appetite suppression occurs via nausea and emetic neurocircuitry rather than homeostatic satiety, highlighting potential tolerability challenges for GDF15-targeted anti-obesity therapeutics.
Limits
The abstract contains no quantitative metrics, exact sample sizes, or dosage details. All findings are derived from non-human animal models and may not fully reflect human tolerability or physiological responses.
Cited by
- supports Injecting GDF15 into animals induces vomiting and visceral malaise.