FGF21 Is a Sugar-Induced Hormone Associated with Sweet Intake and Preference in Humans
Susanna Søberg1, Camilla H Sandholt2, Naja Z Jespersen3
1Section for Metabolic Imaging and Liver Metabolism, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism and Physical Activity Research, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
The liking and selective ingestion of palatable foods-including sweets-is biologically controlled, and dysfunction of this regulation may promote unhealthy eating, obesity, and disease. The hepatokine fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) reduces sweet consumption in rodents and primates, whereas knockout of Fgf21 increases sugar consumption in mice. To investigate the relevance of these findings in humans, we genotyped variants in the FGF21 locus in participants from the Danish Inter99 cohort (n = 6,514) and examined their relationship with a detailed range of food and ingestive behaviors. This revealed statistically significant associations between FGF21 rs838133 and increased consumption of candy, as well as nominal associations with increased alcohol intake and daily smoking. Moreover, in a separate clinical study, plasma FGF21 levels increased acutely after oral sucrose ingestion and were elevated in fasted sweet-disliking individuals. These data suggest the liver may secrete hormones that influence eating behavior.
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