title: Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 As an Emerging Therapeutic Target for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
abstract: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 is a distinctive member of the FGF family that functions as an endocrine factor. It is expressed predominantly in the liver, but is also found in adipose tissue and the pancreas. Pharmacological studies have shown that FGF21 normalizes glucose and lipid homeostasis, thereby preventing the development of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. Despite growing evidence for the therapeutic potential of FGF21, paradoxical increases of FGF21 in different disease conditions point to the existence of FGF21 resistance. In this review, we give a critical appraisal of recent advances in the understanding of the regulation of FGF21 production under various physiological conditions, its antidiabetic actions, and the clinical implications. We also discuss recent preclinical and clinical trials using engineered FGF21 analogs in the management of diabetes, as well as the potential side effects of FGF21 therapy.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wing Yan
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: So
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Po Sing
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; C414620:fibroblast growth factor 21; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors
keywords: FGF21 analogs; glucose; lipid metabolism; pancreas; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma