Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 and growth differentiation factor 15: Two sensitive biomarkers in the diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders

Mitochondrial disorders are often difficult to diagnose because of diverse clinical phenotypes. FGF-21 and GDF-15 are metabolic hormones and promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of these disorders. This study has systematically evaluated serum FGF-21 and GDF-15 levels by ELISA in a well-defined cohort of patients with definite mitochondrial disorders (n = 30), neuromuscular disease controls (n = 36) and healthy controls (n = 36) and aimed to ascertain their utility in the diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders. Both serum FGF-21 and GDF-15 were significantly elevated in patients with mitochondrial disorders, especially in those with muscle involvement. The levels were higher in patients with mitochondrial deletions (both single and multiple) and translation disorders compared to respiratory chain subunit or assembly factor defects.