New pathway of the energy metabolism in peripheral tissues regulated by cytokine GDF15

A study published in the journal Cell Reports describes a new pathway related to the activity of receptors that are associated with several metabolic or cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension. According to the conclusions, many antidiabetic effects of the activators of the PPARβ/δ receptors —potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes— are regulated by cytokine GDF15, a protein expressed under conditions of physiological stress.