Diabetes: Protein Gdf15 May Reverse Skin Damage Caused by High Blood Sugar

Diabetes can lead to skin problems due to high blood sugar. Researchers have found that high glucose levels affect skin cells called fibroblasts. These cells are important for skin repair and collagen production. Scientists studied how high blood sugar impacts mitochondria, the energy centers of cells. They discovered that increasing glucose levels damage and break down mitochondria. This process limits the action of a growth protein called GDF15. Adding GDF15 back to skin models reversed the mitochondrial damage, even with high glucose levels. This suggests GDF15 could be a key to protecting skin from damage caused by high blood sugar in people with diabetes.