2010/07/28

Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 in Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hepatic protein that plays a critical role in metabolism, stimulating fatty acid oxidation in liver and glucose uptake in fat. Its systemic administration to obese rodents and diabetic monkeys leads to improved glucose homeostasis and weight loss. In rodents, FGF21 increases with fasting and consumption of a ketogenic diet (KD). In humans, FGF21 correlates with body mass index (BMI), but studies evaluating other parameters show inconsistent results. Researchers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and from CIC bioGUNE, have examined FGF21 serum levels in lean and obese individuals and in response to dietary manipulation. They also measured FGF21 serum levels and its liver messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The data, published in Gastroenterology, highlight the correlation of FGF21 with BMI in humans, identifying this protein as a novel biomarker for NAFLD, independent of their nutritional regulation.