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Understanding the Physiology of FGF21
Ffolliott Martin Fisher1, Eleftheria Maratos-Flier1
1Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Division of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215;
Annual Review of Physiology
|December 15, 2015
Summary
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a key hormone regulating energy balance, offering benefits like weight loss and improved blood sugar. Its complex roles across multiple organs are crucial for understanding metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a peptide hormone involved in energy homeostasis.
- FGF21 exhibits beneficial metabolic effects, including weight loss and improved glycemia.
- Its complex biology involves autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine actions across multiple organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and interpret the multifaceted physiology of FGF21.
- To delineate the expanding complexity of FGF21's metabolic functions.
- To highlight FGF21's potential therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of FGF21 research.
- Analysis of FGF21's roles in liver, adipose tissue, pancreas, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle.
- Examination of FGF21's involvement in various dietary conditions and disease models.
Main Results:
- FGF21 regulates fatty acid oxidation in the liver under fasting and ketogenic diets.
- It influences glucose metabolism and promotes WAT browning.
- FGF21 demonstrates anti-inflammatory roles in the pancreas and cardiac muscle, and is induced in skeletal muscle stress.
Conclusions:
- FGF21 is a complex hormone with diverse metabolic and anti-inflammatory functions.
- Its roles in regulating energy homeostasis and organ-specific metabolism are significant.
- FGF21 presents a promising therapeutic target for metabolic diseases like diabetes and fatty liver disease.
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