Fig. 1

Hydrodynamic injection of Gdf11 gene generated sustained expression of GDF11 and prevented HFD-induced weight gain. a Serum concentration of GDF11 as function of time post plasmid injection; b relative mRNA levels of Gdf11 in the liver 8 weeks post plasmid injection; c serum levels of AST and ALT at the end of experiments; d growth curve; e representative images of mice at end of the experiment; f daily food intake; g accumulative food intake in 8-week period. Data represent mean ± SEM (n = 5). *P < 0.05 comparing to mice fed a Chow diet, ^#P < 0.05 comparing to mice fed an HFD and injected with pLIVE-SEAP plasmids