Subjects with more components of MetS had decreased BMP-9 levels (BMP-9 levels were log transformed, mean ± SD) of 4.41 ± 0.81; 4.36 ± 0.94; 3.87 ± 0.76; 3.85 ± 0.73; 3.70 ± 4.36, respectively. This evidence concerns the gene GDF2 and metabolic syndrome.