Abstract:Objective To investigate the correlation between growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), oxidative stress levels, and cardiac function indicators in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods We selected 134 CHF patients admitted to the affiliated hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from February 2021 to February 2023 as the study group. According to the New York Heart Association functional classification, they were divided into three subgroups [Class Ⅱ (47 cases), Class Ⅲ (61 cases), Class Ⅳ (26 cases)]. Additionally, 70 healthy individuals undergoing health check-ups during the same period were selected as the control group. We compared serum GDF11, HO-1, oxidative stress indicators [glutathione peroxidase 3 (GSH-Px3), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), lipid peroxidation (LPO)], and cardiac function indicators [brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)] between the study and control groups and among CHF patients with different severity levels. Pearson's method was employed to analyze the correlation between GDF11, HO-1, oxidative stress levels, and cardiac function indicators.Results GDF11 and HO-1 levels in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). GSH-Px3 and T-AOC levels in the study group were lower than those in the control group, while AOPP and LPO levels were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). BNP, cTnI, LVEDD, LVMI levels in the study group were higher than those in the control group, while LVEF level was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In Class Ⅱ, GDF11, HO-1, AOPP, LPO, BNP, cTnI, LVEDD, LVMI levels were lower than those in Class Ⅲ and Ⅳ (P < 0.05). In Class Ⅲ, GDF11, HO-1, AOPP, LPO, BNP, cTnI, LVEDD, LVMI levels were lower than those in Class Ⅳ (P < 0.05). In Class Ⅱ, GSH-Px3, T-AOC, LVEF levels were higher than those in Class Ⅲ and Ⅳ (P < 0.05). In Class Ⅲ, GSH-Px3, T-AOC, LVEF levels were higher than those in Class Ⅳ (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between GDF11, HO-1, AOPP, LPO, and BNP, cTnI, LVEDD, LVMI, and a negative correlation with LVEF. GSH-Px3 and T-AOC showed a negative correlation with BNP, cTnI, LVEDD, LVMI, and a positive correlation with LVEF (P < 0.05).Conclusion GDF11, HO-1, oxidative stress levels, and cardiac function in CHF patients are in an abnormal state, and there is a close relationship between GDF11, HO-1, oxidative stress levels, and cardiac function.