FGF-21 as a novel metabolic regulator

TLDR

Diabetes mellitus affects over 5 % of the population and is a major health concern. The study proposes FGF‑21 as a novel therapeutic agent that potently regulates glucose uptake in adipocytes. FGF‑21 was identified as a potent regulator of glucose uptake in mouse 3T3‑L1 and primary human adipocytes. FGF‑21 transgenic mice were viable and resistant to diet‑induced obesity, and therapeutic administration lowered plasma glucose and triglycerides to near normal levels in diabetic mice without inducing mitogenicity, hypoglycemia, or weight gain, with effects lasting at least 24 h after cessation.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a major health concern, affecting more than 5% of the population. Here we describe a potential novel therapeutic agent for this disease, FGF-21, which was discovered to be a potent regulator of glucose uptake in mouse 3T3-L1 and primary human adipocytes. FGF-21-transgenic mice were viable and resistant to diet-induced obesity. Therapeutic administration of FGF-21 reduced plasma glucose and triglycerides to near normal levels in both ob/ob and db/db mice. These effects persisted for at least 24 hours following the cessation of FGF-21 administration. Importantly, FGF-21 did not induce mitogenicity, hypoglycemia, or weight gain at any dose tested in diabetic or healthy animals or when overexpressed in transgenic mice. Thus, we conclude that FGF-21, which we have identified as a novel metabolic factor, exhibits the therapeutic characteristics necessary for an effective treatment of diabetes.