Cited by 347Fibroblast Growth Factor ResearchRegulation of Appetite and ObesityBiochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques

FGF21 mediates endocrine control of simple sugar intake and sweet taste preference by the liver

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von Holstein-Rathlou, Stephanie, BonDurant, Lucas D., Peltekian, Lila, Naber, Meghan C., Yin, Terry C., Claflin, Kristin E., Urizar, Adriana Ibarra, Madsen, Andreas N. +13 more·2016·Cell Metabolism

Abstract

The liver is an important integrator of nutrient metabolism, yet no liver-derived factors regulating nutrient preference or carbohydrate appetite have been identified. Here we show that the liver regulates carbohydrate intake through production of the hepatokine fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), which markedly suppresses consumption of simple sugars, but not complex carbohydrates, proteins, or lipids. Genetic loss of FGF21 in mice increases sucrose consumption, whereas acute administration or overexpression of FGF21 suppresses the intake of both sugar and non-caloric sweeteners. FGF21 does not affect chorda tympani nerve responses to sweet tastants, instead reducing sweet-seeking behavior and meal size via neurons in the hypothalamus. This liver-to-brain hormonal axis likely represents a negative feedback loop as hepatic FGF21 production is elevated by sucrose ingestion. We conclude that the liver functions to regulate macronutrient-specific intake by producing an endocrine satiety signal that acts centrally to suppress the intake of "sweets."

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cmet.2015.12.003

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  • Increased levels of the hepatokine FGF21, although not influencing appetite per se, have been linked to decreased intake of obesogenic sugary foods.

    “Finally, increased levels of the hepatokine FGF21, although not influencing appetite per se, have been linked to decreased intake of obesogenic sugary foods [168] (5).”

    From The Role of Exercise in the Interplay between Myokines, Hepatokines, Osteokines, Adipokines, and Modulation of Inflammation for Energy Substrate Redistribution and Fat Mass Loss: A Review (2020) · cites this paper as [168]

    In Results and Discussion, elevated FGF21 reduced sucrose intake and preference in mice, and administered FGF21 suppressed preference for a high-sucrose diet without changing total energy intake. But the same section reports increased overall energy intake in mice with constitutively high FGF21, so the unqualified claim that it does not influence appetite is not fully supported. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • FGF21 may be involved in regulating preference for specific foods; specifically, it acts to reduce craving for sugary foods.

    “Interestingly, a recent study suggests that FGF21 may be involved in regulating preference for specific foods; specifically, it acts to reduce craving for sugary foods [168].”
  • Hepatic mRNA and plasma protein levels of FGF21 are induced by high sugar intake through a ChREBP-dependent mechanism.

    “Hepatic mRNA and plasma protein levels of FGF21 are induced by high sugar intake through a mechanism dependent on the transcription factor ChREBP22–25”

    From Metabolic messengers: FGF21 (2021) · cites this paper as [22]

  • KLB expression is primarily restricted to specific metabolic tissues (liver, pancreas, adipose) and lower in brain; KLB is not expressed in muscle.

    “KLB expression is primarily restricted to specific metabolic tissues (for example, the liver, pancreas and adipose tissue)5, and lower expression is observed in the brain22,48–50. Despite some reports to the contrary51,52, KLB is not expressed in muscle5,41.”

    From Metabolic messengers: FGF21 (2021) · cites this paper as [22]

  • Mice lacking FGF21 exhibit a greater preference for sucrose.

    “mice lacking FGF21 also exhibit a greater preference for sucrose22.”

    From Metabolic messengers: FGF21 (2021) · cites this paper as [22]

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Authors
von Holstein-Rathlou, S., BonDurant, L. D., Peltekian, L., Naber, M. C., Yin, T. C., Claflin, K. E., Urizar, A. I., Madsen, A. N., Ratner, C., Holst, B., Karstoft, K., Vandenbeuch, A., Anderson, C. B., Cassell, M. D., Thompson, A. P., Solomon, T. P., Rahmouni, K., Kinnamon, S. C., Pieper, A. A., Gillum, M. P., & Potthoff, M. J.
Affiliations
  • University of Iowa (US)
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • Rigshospitalet (DK)
  • University of Colorado Anschutz (US)
Corresponding author
  • Gillum, Matthew P.
  • Potthoff, Matthew J.
Venue
Cell Metabolism
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-02
Volume
23
Issue
2
Pages
335-343
ISSN
1550-4131 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2201894846
Cited by
347
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 24
FWCI
13.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Novo Nordisk Fonden (NNF14OC0009525, NNF15SA0018486)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (P01HL084207)
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (P30DC004657)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32GM067795)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK106104)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Fibroblast Growth Factor Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
Keywords
FGF21, hepatokines, carbohydrate intake, sucrose intake, sweet taste preference, artificial sweeteners, hypothalamic neurons, meal size, liver-brain axis, macronutrient preference, negative feedback loop
MeSH terms
Animals, Endocrine System, Feeding Behavior, Fibroblast Growth Factors, Food Preferences, Liver, Male, Nuclear Proteins, Sucrose, Taste, Transcription Factors, Signal Transduction, Mice, Knockout, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors

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