Serum FGF21 levels are increased in obesity and are independently associated with the metabolic syndrome in humans
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a metabolic regulator with multiple beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in animal models. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between its serum levels and various cardiometabolic parameters in humans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A newly developed immunoassay was used to measure serum FGF21 levels in 232 Chinese subjects recruited from our previous cross-sectional studies. The mRNA expression levels of FGF21 in the liver and adipose tissues were quantified by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Serum FGF21 levels in overweight/obese subjects were significantly higher than in lean individuals. Serum FGF21 correlated positively with adiposity, fasting insulin, and triglycerides but negatively with HDL cholesterol, after adjusting for age and BMI. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an independent association between serum FGF21 and the metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, the increased risk of the metabolic syndrome associated with high serum FGF21 was over and above the effects of individual components of the metabolic syndrome. Our in vitro study detected a differentiation-dependent expression of FGF21 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and human adipocytes. In db/db obese mice, FGF21 mRNA expression was markedly increased in both the liver and adipose tissue compared with that in their lean littermates. Furthermore, FGF21 expression in subcutaneous fat correlated well with its circulating concentrations in humans. CONCLUSIONS: FGF21 is a novel adipokine associated with obesity-related metabolic complications in humans. The paradoxical increase of serum FGF21 in obese individuals, which may be explained by a compensatory response or resistance to FGF21, warrants further investigation.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
FGF-21 is typically elevated in obesity and hepatic stress, acting as a compensatory hormone to counteract insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis.
“FGF-21 is typically elevated in obesity and hepatic stress, acting as a compensa tory hormone to counteract insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. 35”
From Comprehensive Long-Term Changes in Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers With Tirzepatide (2026) · cites this paper as [35]
In humans, circulating FGF21 levels increase with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and NAFLD.
“In humans, circulating FGF21 levels also increase with obesity [[174], [175], [176]], type 2 diabetes [[176], [177], [178]], and NAFLD [179,180]”
From Hepatokines and metabolism: Deciphering communication from the liver (2021) · cites this paper as [174]
FGF21 is increased in settings of obesity.
“FGF21 is also increased in settings of obesity”
From FGF21 and the physiological regulation of macronutrient preference (2020) · cites this paper as [135]
Cites
Matthews, D. R., Hosker, J. P., Rudenski, A. S., Naylor, B. A., Treacher, D. F., & Turner, R. C. (1985) · Diabetologia · doi:10.1007/bf00280883 · Cited by 31,502 · see citing works
Grundy, S. M., Bilheimer, D. W., Chait, A., Clark, L. T., Denke, M. A., Havel, R. J., Hazzard, W. R., Hulley, S. B., Hunninghake, D. B., Kreisberg, R. A., et al. (1993) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.269.23.3015 · Cited by 27,944 · see citing works
Expert Panel on Detection, E. (2001) · JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association · doi:10.1001/jama.285.19.2486 · Cited by 26,011 · see citing works
Grundy, S. M., Cleeman, J. I., Daniels, S. R., Donato, K. A., Eckel, R. H., Franklin, B. A., Gordon, D. J., Krauss, R. M., Savage, P. J., Smith, S. C., et al. (2005) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/circulationaha.105.169404 · Cited by 11,961 · see citing works
Adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in insulin resistance, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome
Kadowaki, T. (2006) · Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1172/jci29126 · Cited by 2,824 · see citing works
FGF-21 as a novel metabolic regulator
Kharitonenkov, A., Shiyanova, T. L., Koester, A., Ford, A. M., Micanovic, R., Galbreath, E. J., Sandusky, G. E., Hammond, L. J., Moyers, J. S., Owens, R. A., et al. (2005) · Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1172/jci23606 · Cited by 2,125 · see citing works
Ornitz, D. M., & Itoh, N. (2001) · Genome biology · doi:10.1186/gb-2001-2-3-reviews3005 · Cited by 1,985 · see citing works
Fibroblast growth factor 15 functions as an enterohepatic signal to regulate bile acid homeostasis
Inagaki, T., Choi, M., Moschetta, A., Peng, L., Cummins, C. L., McDonald, J. G., Luo, G., Jones, S. A., Goodwin, B., Richardson, J. A., et al. (2005) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2005.09.001 · Cited by 1,865 · see citing works
Inagaki, T., Dutchak, P., Zhao, G., Ding, X., Gautron, L., Parameswara, V., Li, Y., Goetz, R., Mohammadi, M., Esser, V., et al. (2007) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2007.05.003 · Cited by 1,504 · see citing works
Badman, M. K., Pissios, P., Kennedy, A. R., Koukos, G., Flier, J. S., & Maratos-Flier, E. (2007) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2007.05.002 · Cited by 1,495 · see citing works
Autosomal dominant hypophosphataemic rickets is associated with mutations in FGF23
White, K., Evans, W. E., O'Riordan, J., Speer, M., Econs, M., Lorenz-Depiereux, B., Grabowski, M., Meitinger, T., & Strom, T. (2000) · Nature Genetics · doi:10.1038/81664 · Cited by 1,467 · see citing works
Fibroblast growth factors, their receptors and signaling
Powers, C. J., McLeskey, S. W., & Wellstein, A. (2000) · Endocrine-related cancer · doi:10.1677/erc.0.0070165 · Cited by 1,332 · see citing works
Evolution of the Fgf and Fgfr gene families.
Itoh, N., & Ornitz, D. (2004) · Trends in Genetics · doi:10.1016/j.tig.2004.08.007 · Cited by 1,123 · see citing works
Identification of a novel FGF, FGF-21, preferentially expressed in the liver
Nishimura, T., Nakatake, Y., Konishi, M., & Itoh, N. (2000) · Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Gene Structure and Expression · doi:10.1016/s0167-4781(00)00067-1 · Cited by 847 · see citing works
The metabolic state of diabetic monkeys is regulated by fibroblast growth factor-21
Kharitonenkov, A., Wroblewski, V. J., Koester, A., Chen, Y.-F., Clutinger, C. K., Tigno, X. T., Hansen, B. C., Shanafelt, A. B., & Etgen, G. J. (2007) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.2006-1168 · Cited by 738 · see citing works
βKlotho is required for metabolic activity of fibroblast growth factor 21
Ogawa, Y., Kurosu, H., Yamamoto, M., Nandi, A., Rosenblatt, K. P., Goetz, R., Eliseenkova, A. V., Mohammadi, M., & Kuro-o, M. (2007) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0701600104 · Cited by 617 · see citing works
Xu, A., Wang, Y., Xu, J. Y., Stejskal, D., Tam, S., Zhang, J., Wat, N. M. S., Wong, W. K., & Lam, K. S. (2006) · Clinical Chemistry · doi:10.1373/clinchem.2005.062463 · Cited by 603 · see citing works
Self-citationTomlinson, E., Fu, L., John, L., Hultgren, B., Huang, X., Renz, M., Stephan, J. P., Tsai, S. P., Powell-Braxton, L., French, D., et al. (2002) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/endo.143.5.8850 · Cited by 576 · see citing works
Wente, W., Efanov, A. M., Brenner, M. B., Kharitonenkov, A., Koster, A. M., Sandusky, G. E., Sewing, S., Treinies, I., Zitzer, H., & Gromada, J. (2006) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/db05-1435 · Cited by 497 · see citing works
Hogan, B. L. M. (1999) · Cell · doi:10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80562-0 · Cited by 494 · see citing works
Xu, A., Chan, K. W., Hoo, R. L. C., Wang, Y., Tan, K. C. B., Zhang, J., Chen, B., Lam, M. C., Tse, C. A., Cooper, G. J. S., et al. (2005) · Journal of Biological Chemistry · doi:10.1074/jbc.m414231200 · Cited by 418 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Heparan Sulfate–Fibroblast Growth Factor Family: Diversity of Structure and Function
McKeehan, W. L., Wang, F., & Kan, M. (1997) · Progress in nucleic acid research and molecular biology · doi:10.1016/s0079-6603(08)61031-4 · Cited by 392 · see citing works
PPARα is a key regulator of hepatic FGF21
Lundåsen, T., Hunt, M., Nilsson, L.-M., Sanyal, S., Angelin, B., Alexson, S., & Rudling, M. (2007) · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications · doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.06.068 · Cited by 361 · see citing works
Xu, A., Tso, A. W. K., Cheung, B. M. Y., Wang, Y., Wat, N. M. S., Fong, C. H.-Y., Yeung, D. C. Y., Janus, E. D., Sham, P. C., & Lam, K. S. L. (2007) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/circulationaha.106.647503 · Cited by 360 · see citing works
Self-citationFGF23, PHEX, and MEPE regulation of phosphate homeostasis and skeletal mineralization
Quarles, L. D. (2003) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00016.2003 · Cited by 335 · see citing works
Janke, J., Engeli, S., Gorzelniak, K., Luft, F. C., & Sharma, A. M. (2002) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/diabetes.51.6.1699 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
The phosphatonin pathway: New insights in phosphate homeostasis
Schiavi, S. C., & Kumar, R. (2003) · Kidney International · doi:10.1111/j.1523-1755.2004.00355.x · Cited by 254 · see citing works
The role of leptin in leptin resistance and obesity
Zhang, Y., & Scarpace, P. J. (2006) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.05.038 · Cited by 253 · see citing works
Altered insulin secretion associated with reduced lipolytic efficiency in aP2-/- mice.
Scheja, L., Makowski, L., Uysal, K. T., Wiesbrock, S. M., Shimshek, D. R., Meyers, D. S., Morgan, M. K., Parker, R. A., & Hotamışlıgil, G. S. (1999) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/diabetes.48.10.1987 · Cited by 218 · see citing works
Fibroblast growth factors and their receptors
Galzie, Z., Kinsella, A. R., & Smith, J. A. (1997) · Biochemistry and Cell Biology · doi:10.1139/o97-091 · Cited by 214 · see citing works
Yeung, D. C. Y., Xu, A., Cheung, C. W., Wat, N. M. S., Yau, M.-H., Fong, C. H.-Y., Chau, M. T., & Lam, K. S. L. (2007) · Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · doi:10.1161/atvbaha.107.146274 · Cited by 213 · see citing works
Self-citationThe role of leptin in leptin resistance and obesity
Enriori, P. J., Evans, A. E., Sinnayah, P., & Cowley, M. A. (2006) · Obesity · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Molecular determinants of FGF‐21 activity—synergy and cross‐talk with PPARγ signaling
Moyers, J. S., Shiyanova, T. L., Mehrbod, F., Dunbar, J. D., Noblitt, T. W., Otto, K. A., Reifel-Miller, A. E., & Kharitonenkov, A. (2006) · Journal of Cellular Physiology · doi:10.1002/jcp.20847 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
FGF21: A Missing Link in the Biology of Fasting
Reitman, M. L. (2007) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2007.05.010 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Tan, K. C. B., Wat, N. M. S., Tam, S., Janus, E. D., Lam, T., & Lam, K. S. L. (2003) · Diabetes Care · doi:10.2337/diacare.26.8.2323 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Self-citationTso, A. W. K., Sham, P. C., Wat, N. M. S., Xu, A., Cheung, B. M. Y., Rong, R., Fong, C. H.-Y., Xu, J. Y., Cheng, K. K. Y., Janus, E. D., et al. (2006) · Diabetologia · doi:10.1007/s00125-006-0324-2 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Self-citationCentral obesity predicts the worsening of glycemia in southern Chinese
Wat, N., Lam, T., Janus, E., & Lam, K. (2001) · International Journal of Obesity · doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0801834 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationMoore, D. D. (2007) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1144837 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Alberti (1998) · doi:10.1002/(sici)1096-9136(199807)15:7
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Mechanisms of Insulin Action and Insulin Resistance
Petersen, M. C., & Shulman, G. I. (2018) · Physiological Reviews · doi:10.1152/physrev.00063.2017 · Cited by 3,028 · see citing works
The FGF family: biology, pathophysiology and therapy
Beenken, A., & Mohammadi, M. (2009) · Nature Reviews Drug Discovery · doi:10.1038/nrd2792 · Cited by 1,945 · see citing works
Chait, A., & den Hartigh, L. J. (2020) · Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine · doi:10.3389/fcvm.2020.00022 · Cited by 1,529 · see citing works
Understanding the Physiology of FGF21
Fisher, F. M., & Maratos-Flier, E. (2016) · Annual Review of Physiology · doi:10.1146/annurev-physiol-021115-105339 · Cited by 912 · see citing works
FGF/FGFR signaling in health and disease
Xie, Y., Su, N., Yang, J., Tan, Q., Huang, S., Jin, M., Ni, Z., Zhang, B., Zhang, D., Luo, F., et al. (2020) · Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy · doi:10.1038/s41392-020-00222-7 · Cited by 904 · see citing works
Obesity Is a Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21)-Resistant State
Fisher, F. M., Chui, P. C., Antonellis, P. J., Bina, H. A., Kharitonenkov, A., Flier, J. S., & Maratos-Flier, E. (2010) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/db10-0193 · Cited by 830 · see citing works
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as a nexus of metabolic and hepatic diseases
Samuel, V. T., & Shulman, G. I. (2018) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2017.08.002 · Cited by 745 · see citing works
Adipose tissue in control of metabolism
Luo, L., & Liu, M. (2016) · Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1530/joe-16-0211 · Cited by 707 · see citing works
Lin, Z., Tian, H., Lam, K. S. L., Lin, S., Hoo, R. C. L., Konishi, M., Itoh, N., Wang, Y., Bornstein, S. R., Xu, A., et al. (2013) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2013.04.005 · Cited by 691 · see citing works
Self-citationHepatokines: Linking nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance
Meex, R. C. R., & Watt, M. J. (2017) · Nature Reviews Endocrinology · doi:10.1038/nrendo.2017.56 · Cited by 631 · see citing works
The therapeutic potential of FGF21 in metabolic diseases: from bench to clinic
Geng, L., Lam, K. S. L., & Xu, A. (2020) · Nature Reviews Endocrinology · doi:10.1038/s41574-020-0386-0 · Cited by 607 · see citing works
Self-citationIncreased Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 in Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Dushay, J., Chui, P. C., Gopalakrishnan, G. S., Varela–Rey, M., Crawley, M., Fisher, F. M., Badman, M. K., Martinez–Chantar, M. L., & Maratos–Flier, E. (2010) · Gastroenterology · doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2010.04.054 · Cited by 607 · see citing works
FGF21 is an endocrine signal of protein restriction
Laeger, T., Henagan, T. M., Albarado, D. C., Redman, L. M., Bray, G. A., Noland, R. C., Münzberg, H., Hutson, S. M., Gettys, T. W., Schwartz, M. W., et al. (2014) · Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1172/jci74915 · Cited by 593 · see citing works
Dutchak, P. A., Katafuchi, T., Bookout, A. L., Choi, J. H., Yu, R. T., Mangelsdorf, D. J., & Kliewer, S. A. (2012) · Cell · doi:10.1016/j.cell.2011.11.062 · Cited by 537 · see citing works
Causes and Metabolic Consequences of Fatty Liver
Stefan, N., Kantartzis, K., & Häring, H. (2008) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/er.2008-0009 · Cited by 527 · see citing works
Gälman, C., Lundåsen, T., Kharitonenkov, A., Bina, H. A., Eriksson, M., Hafström, I., Dahlin, M., Åmark, P., Angelin, B., & Rudling, M. (2008) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2008.06.014 · Cited by 512 · see citing works
Pan, Y., Hui, X. H., Hoo, R. L. C., Ye, D., Chan, C. Y. C., Feng, T., Wang, Y., Lam, K. S. L., & Xu, A. (2019) · Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1172/jci123069 · Cited by 497 · see citing works
Self-citationRole of Skeletal Muscle in Insulin Resistance and Glucose Uptake
Merz, K. E., & Thurmond, D. C. (2020) · Comprehensive Physiology · doi:10.1002/cphy.c190029 · Cited by 494 · see citing works
Endocrine fibroblast growth factors 15/19 and 21: from feast to famine
Potthoff, M. J., Kliewer, S. A., & Mangelsdorf, D. J. (2012) · Genes & Development · doi:10.1101/gad.184788.111 · Cited by 442 · see citing works
Suomalainen, A., Elo, J. M., Pietiläinen, K. H., Hakonen, A. H., Sevastianova, K., Korpela, M., Isohanni, P., Marjavaara, S. K., Tyni, T., Kiuru-Enari, S., et al. (2011) · The Lancet Neurology · doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(11)70155-7 · Cited by 427 · see citing works
Wei, W., Dutchak, P. A., Wang, X., Ding, X., Wang, X., Bookout, A. L., Goetz, R., Mohammadi, M., Gerard, R. D., Dechow, P. C., et al. (2012) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1200797109 · Cited by 426 · see citing works
Therapeutic potential of the endocrine fibroblast growth factors FGF19, FGF21 and FGF23
Degirolamo, C., Sabbà, C., & Moschetta, A. (2016) · Nature Reviews Drug Discovery · doi:10.1038/nrd.2015.9 · Cited by 424 · see citing works
Li, H., Fang, Q., Gao, F., Fan, J., Zhou, J., Wang, X., Zhang, H., Pan, X., Bao, Y., Xiang, K., et al. (2010) · Journal of Hepatology · doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2010.05.018 · Cited by 400 · see citing works
Self-citationChavez, A. O., Molina-Carrion, M., Abdul-Ghani, M. A., Folli, F., DeFronzo, R. A., & Tripathy, D. (2009) · Diabetes Care · doi:10.2337/dc09-0684 · Cited by 390 · see citing works
Distinct but complementary contributions of PPAR isotypes to energy homeostasis
Dubois, V., Eeckhoute, J., Lefèbvre, P., & Staels, B. (2017) · Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1172/jci88894 · Cited by 385 · see citing works
Hondares, E., Rosell, M., Gonzalez, F. J., Giralt, M., Iglesias, R., & Villarroya, F. (2010) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2010.02.001 · Cited by 377 · see citing works
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21-Deficient Mice Demonstrate Impaired Adaptation to Ketosis
Badman, M. K., Koester, A., Flier, J. S., Kharitonenkov, A., & Maratos-Flier, E. (2009) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.2009-0532 · Cited by 362 · see citing works
Omega-3 fatty acids in obesity and metabolic syndrome: A mechanistic update
Albracht-Schulte, K., Kalupahana, N. S., Ramalingam, L., Wang, S., Rahman, S. M., Robert-McComb, J., & Moustaid-Moussa, N. (2018) · The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry · doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.02.012 · Cited by 355 · see citing works
“Circulating FGF21 levels are elevated in diet-induced obese mice [137] and obese and type 2 diabetic humans [138], suggesting obesity-related FGF21 resistance.”
BackgroundHeinz, S., Freyberger, A., Lawrenz, B., Schladt, L., Schmuck, G., & Ellinger-Ziegelbauer, H. (2017) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/srep45465 · Cited by 334 · see citing works
Metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Is insulin resistance the link?
Asrih, M., & Jornayvaz, F. R. (2015) · Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.mce.2015.02.018 · Cited by 331 · see citing works
The endocrine manifestations of anorexia nervosa: mechanisms and management
Haines, M. S., & Miller, K. K. (2016) · Nature Reviews Endocrinology · doi:10.1038/nrendo.2016.175 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
FGF21 as Modulator of Metabolism in Health and Disease
Tezze, C., Romanello, V., & Sandri, M. (2019) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00419 · Cited by 313 · see citing works
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 as an emerging metabolic regulator: clinical perspectives
Woo, Y. C., Xu, A., Wang, Y., & Lam, K. S. L. (2012) · Clinical Endocrinology · doi:10.1111/cen.12095 · Cited by 302 · see citing works
Self-citationBerglund, E. D., Li, C. Y., Bina, H. A., Lynes, S. E., Michael, M. D., Shanafelt, A. B., Kharitonenkov, A., & Wasserman, D. H. (2009) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.2009-0221 · Cited by 297 · see citing works
Acute Exercise Induces FGF21 Expression in Mice and in Healthy Humans
Kim, K. H., Kim, S. H., Min, Y.-K., Yang, H.-M., Lee, J.-B., & Lee, M.-S. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063517 · Cited by 290 · see citing works
Tissue-specific actions of the metabolic hormones FGF15/19 and FGF21
Owen, B. M., Mangelsdorf, D. J., & Kliewer, S. A. (2015) · Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.tem.2014.10.002 · Cited by 286 · see citing works
Role of Skeletal Muscle in Insulin Resistance and Glucose Uptake
Merz, K. E., & Thurmond, D. C. (2020) · Comprehensive physiology · doi:10.1002/j.2040-4603.2020.tb00136.x · Cited by 283 · see citing works
Cytokines and abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism
Shi, J., Fan, J., Su, Q., & Yang, Z. (2019) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00703 · Cited by 282 · see citing works
Inter-organ cross-talk in metabolic syndrome
Priest, C., & Tontonoz, P. (2019) · Nature Metabolism · doi:10.1038/s42255-019-0145-5 · Cited by 279 · see citing works
Mraz, M., Bartlova, M., Lacinova, Z., Michalsky, D., Kasalicky, M., Haluzikova, D., Matoulek, M., Dostalova, I., Humenanska, V., & Haluzik, M. (2009) · Clinical Endocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03502.x · Cited by 279 · see citing works
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21—Metabolic Role in Mice and Men
Staiger, H., Keuper, M., Berti, L., Hrabě de Angelis, M., & Häring, H.-U. (2017) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/er.2017-00016 · Cited by 270 · see citing works
Hepatokines and metabolism: Deciphering communication from the liver
Jensen-Cody, S. O., & Potthoff, M. J. (2021) · Molecular Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.molmet.2020.101138 · Cited by 252 · see citing works
Itoh, N. (2010) · Cell and Tissue Research · doi:10.1007/s00441-010-1024-2 · Cited by 247 · see citing works
Fructose ingestion acutely stimulates circulating FGF21 levels in humans
Dushay, J. R., Toschi, E., Mitten, E. K., Fisher, F. M., Herman, M. A., & Maratos-Flier, E. (2015) · Molecular Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.molmet.2014.09.008 · Cited by 233 · see citing works
Tanaka, T., Ngwa, J. S., van Rooij, F. J., Zillikens, M. C., Wojczynski, M. K., Frazier-Wood, A. C., Houston, D. K., Kanoni, S., Lemaitre, R. N., Luan, J., et al. (2013) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.052183 · Cited by 226 · see citing works
Mashili, F. L., Austin, R. L., Deshmukh, A. S., Fritz, T., Caidahl, K., Bergdahl, K., Zierath, J. R., Chibalin, A., Moller, D. E., Kharitonenkov, A., et al. (2011) · Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews · doi:10.1002/dmrr.1177 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
FGF21 is a biomarker for mitochondrial translation and mtDNA maintenance disorders
Lehtonen, J. M., Forsström, S., Bottani, E., Viscomi, C., Baris, O. R., Isoniemi, H., Höckerstedt, K., Österlund, P., Hurme, M., Jylhävä, J., et al. (2016) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000003374 · Cited by 220 · see citing works
Fibroblast growth factor 21: from pharmacology to physiology
Kliewer, S. A., & Mangelsdorf, D. J. (2010) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28449b · Cited by 219 · see citing works
FGF21 Is a Sugar-Induced Hormone Associated with Sweet Intake and Preference in Humans
Søberg, S., Sandholt, C. H., Jespersen, N. Z., Toft, U., Madsen, A. L., von Holstein-Rathlou, S., Grevengoed, T. J., Christensen, K. B., Bredie, W. L. P., Potthoff, M. J., et al. (2017) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2017.04.009 · Cited by 216 · see citing works
FGF21 and the late adaptive response to starvation in humans
Fazeli, P. K., Lun, M., Kim, S. M., Bredella, M. A., Wright, S., Zhang, Y., Lee, H., Catana, C., Klibanski, A., Patwari, P., et al. (2015) · Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1172/jci83349 · Cited by 214 · see citing works
Tillman, E. J., & Rolph, T. (2020) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2020.601290 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Defining the Nutritional and Metabolic Context of FGF21 Using the Geometric Framework
Solon-Biet, S. M., Cogger, V. C., Pulpitel, T., Heblinski, M., Wahl, D., McMahon, A. C., Warren, A., Durrant-Whyte, J., Walters, K. A., Krycer, J. R., et al. (2016) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2016.09.001 · Cited by 212 · see citing works
Gallego-Escuredo, J. M., Gómez‐Ambrosi, J., Catalán, V., Domingo, P., Giralt, M., Frühbeck, G., & Villarroya, F. (2014) · International Journal of Obesity · doi:10.1038/ijo.2014.76 · Cited by 212 · see citing works
Circulating fibroblast growth factors as metabolic regulators--a critical appraisal.
Angelin, B., Larsson, T., & Rudling, M. (2012) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2012.11.001 · Cited by 210 · see citing works
Biomarkers of insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance: Past, present and future
Park, S. E., Park, C., & Sweeney, G. (2015) · Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences · doi:10.3109/10408363.2015.1023429 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Wölnerhanssen, B. K., Peterli, R., Steinert, R. E., Peters, T. T. A., Borbély, Y., & Beglinger, C. (2011) · Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases · doi:10.1016/j.soard.2011.01.044 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Geng, L., Liao, B., Jin, L., Huang, Z. P., Triggle, C. R., Ding, H., Zhang, J., Huang, Y., Lin, Z., & Xu, A. (2019) · Cell Reports · doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2019.02.014 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
Self-citationFibroblast Growth Factor-21 Is Induced in Human Skeletal Muscles by Hyperinsulinemia
Hojman, P., Pedersen, M., Nielsen, A. R., Krogh-Madsen, R., Yfanti, C., Åkerstrom, T., Nielsen, S., & Pedersen, B. K. (2009) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/db09-0713 · Cited by 198 · see citing works
Increased serum FGF21 levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Yilmaz, Y. N., Eren, F., Yönal, O., Kurt, R., Aktaş, B., Çelikel, Ç., Özdogan, O. C., İmeryüz, N., Kalaycı, C., & Avşar, E. (2010) · European Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2362.2010.02338.x · Cited by 196 · see citing works
Novel locus including FGF21 is associated with dietary macronutrient intake
Chu, A. Y., Workalemahu, T., Paynter, N. P., Rose, L. M., Giulianini, F., Tanaka, T., Ngwa, J. S., Qi, Q., Curhan, G. C., Rimm, E. B., et al. (2013) · Human Molecular Genetics · doi:10.1093/hmg/ddt032 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Díaz-Delfín, J., Hondares, E., Iglesias, R., Giralt, M., Caelles, C., & Villarroya, F. (2012) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.2012-1193 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Li, H., Gao, Z., Zhang, J., Ye, X., Xu, A., Ye, J., & Jia, W. (2012) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/db11-0846 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
Self-citationChow, W. S., Xu, A., Woo, Y. C., Tso, A. W. K., Cheung, S., Fong, C. H.-Y., Tse, H., Chau, M. T., Cheung, B. M. Y., & Lam, K. S. L. (2013) · Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · doi:10.1161/atvbaha.113.301599 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
Self-citationGlucose induces FGF21 mRNA expression through ChREBP activation in rat hepatocytes
Iizuka, K., Takeda, J., & Horikawa, Y. (2009) · FEBS Letters · doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2009.07.053 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Lack of Overt FGF21 Resistance in Two Mouse Models of Obesity and Insulin Resistance
Hale, C., Chen, M. M., Stanislaus, S., Chinookoswong, N., Hager, T., Wang, M., Véniant, M. M., & Xu, J. (2012) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.2010-1262 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
The Adipokine Hypothesis of Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction
Packer, M. (2025) · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2025.06.055 · Cited by 189 · see citing works
Ye, D., Wang, Y., Li, H., Jia, W., Man, K., Lo, C. M., Wang, Y., Lam, K. S. L., & Xu, A. (2014) · Hepatology · doi:10.1002/hep.27060 · Cited by 184 · see citing works
Self-citationJiang, S., Cheng, Y., Fang, Q., Shao, M., Zhang, Y., Liu, Y., Deng, Y., Shan, B., Liu, J., Li, H., et al. (2014) · Journal of Biological Chemistry · doi:10.1074/jbc.m114.565960 · Cited by 183 · see citing works
Walczak, K., & Siemińśka, L. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18189434 · Cited by 182 · see citing works
Ge, X., Chen, C., Hui, X. H., Wang, Y., Lam, K. S. L., & Xu, A. (2011) · Journal of Biological Chemistry · doi:10.1074/jbc.m111.248591 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
Self-citationMirza, M. A. I., Alsiö, J., Hammarstedt, A., Erben, R. G., Michaëlsson, K., Tivesten, Å., Marsell, R., ORWOLL, E. S., Karlsson, M. K., Ljunggren, Ö., et al. (2010) · Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology · doi:10.1161/atvbaha.110.214619 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
High Plasma Level of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Is an Independent Predictor of Type 2 Diabetes
Chen, C., Cheung, B. M. Y., Tso, A. W. K., Wang, Y., Law, L. S., Ong, K. L., Wat, N. M. S., Xu, A., & Lam, K. S. L. (2011) · Diabetes Care · doi:10.2337/dc11-0294 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
Self-citationWhat lipodystrophies teach us about the metabolic syndrome
Mann, J. P., & Savage, D. B. (2019) · Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1172/jci129190 · Cited by 180 · see citing works
Lin, Z., Wu, Z., Yin, X., Liu, Y., Yan, X., Lin, S., Xiao, J., Wang, X., Feng, W., & Li, X. (2010) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0015534 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Exercise increases serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels
Cuevas-Ramos, D., Almeda-Valdés, P., Meza-Arana, C. E., Brito-Córdova, G., Gómez-Pérez, F. J., Mehta, R., Oseguera-Moguel, J., & Aguilar-Salinas, C. A. (2012) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038022 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Li, H., Wu, G., Fang, Q., Zhang, M., Hui, X., Sheng, B., Wu, L., Bao, Y., Li, P., Xu, A., et al. (2018) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-017-02677-9 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Self-citationDifferential Specificity of Endocrine FGF19 and FGF21 to FGFR1 and FGFR4 in Complex with KLB
Yang, C., Jin, C., Li, X., Wang, F., McKeehan, W. L., & Luo, Y. (2012) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033870 · Cited by 173 · see citing works
Yu, H., Xia, F., Lam, K. S., Wang, Y., Bao, Y., Zhang, J., Gu, Y., Zhou, P., Lu, J., Jia, W., et al. (2011) · Clinical Chemistry · doi:10.1373/clinchem.2010.155184 · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Self-citationMetabolic interplay between white, beige, brown adipocytes and the liver
Scheja, L., & Heeren, J. (2016) · Journal of Hepatology · doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2016.01.025 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Gómez‐Ambrosi, J., Gallego-Escuredo, J. M., Catalán, V., Rodrı́guez, A., Domingo, P., Moncada, R., Valentí, V., Salvador, J., Giralt, M., Villarroya, F., et al. (2016) · Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.04.027 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Going Back to the Biology of FGF21: New Insights
Lewis, J. E., Ebling, F. J. P., Samms, R. J., & Tsintzas, K. (2019) · Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.tem.2019.05.007 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Fibroblast growth factor 21 and its novel association with oxidative stress
Gómez-Sámano, M. Á., Grajales-Gómez, M., Zuarth-Vázquez, J. M., Navarro-Flores, M. F., Martínez-Saavedra, M., Juárez-León, Ó. A., Morales-García, M., Enriquez-Estrada, V. M., Gomez-Perez, F. J., & Ramos, D. C. (2016) · Redox Biology · doi:10.1016/j.redox.2016.12.024 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Reinehr, T., Woelfle, J., Wunsch, R., & Roth, C. L. (2012) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2012-1221 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Mai, K., Andres, J., Biedasek, K., Weicht, J., Bobbert, T., Sabath, M., Meinus, S., Reinecke, F., Möhlig, M., Weickert, M. O., et al. (2009) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/db08-1775 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Fibroblast Activation Protein Cleaves and Inactivates Fibroblast Growth Factor 21
Dunshee, D. R., Bainbridge, T. W., Kljavin, N. M., Zavala-Solorio, J., Schroeder, A. C., Chan, R., Corpuz, R., Wong, M., Zhou, W., Deshmukh, G., et al. (2016) · Journal of Biological Chemistry · doi:10.1074/jbc.m115.710582 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
Determinants of GH resistance in malnutrition
Fazeli, P. K., & Klibanski, A. (2013) · Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1530/joe-13-0477 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
van Deuren, T., Blaak, E. E., & Canfora, E. E. (2022) · Obesity Reviews · doi:10.1111/obr.13498 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Christodoulides, C., Dyson, P., Sprecher, D., Tsintzas, K., & Karpe, F. (2009) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2009-0111 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Fibroblast growth factor 21 and browning of white adipose tissue
Cuevas-Ramos, D., Mehta, R., & Aguilar-Salinas, C. A. (2019) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00037 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Fibroblast growth factor-21, energy balance and obesity
Giralt, M., Gavaldà‐Navarro, A., & Villarroya, F. (2015) · Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.mce.2015.09.018 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Yang, S. J., Hong, H. C., Choi, H. Y., Yoo, H. J., Cho, G. J., Hwang, T. G., Baik, S. H., Choi, D. S., Kim, S. M., & Choi, K. M. (2011) · Clinical Endocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04078.x · Cited by 148 · see citing works
FGF21 reloaded: challenges of a rapidly growing field
Kharitonenkov, A., & Larsen, P. J. (2010) · Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.tem.2010.11.003 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
New developments in the biology of fibroblast growth factors
Ornitz, D. M., & Itoh, N. (2022) · WIREs Mechanisms of Disease · doi:10.1002/wsbm.1549 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Different roles of N‐ and C‐ termini in the functional activity of FGF21
Micanovic, R., Raches, D. W., Dunbar, J. D., Driver, D. A., Bina, H. A., Dickinson, C. D., & Kharitonenkov, A. (2009) · Journal of Cellular Physiology · doi:10.1002/jcp.21675 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Kim, K. H., & Lee, M.-S. (2014) · Diabetes & Metabolism Journal · doi:10.4093/dmj.2014.38.4.245 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Hepatic lipid metabolism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in aging
Gong, Z., Tas, E., Yakar, S., & Muzumdar, R. H. (2016) · Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.mce.2016.12.022 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Improves Insulin Resistance and Ameliorates Renal Injury in db/db Mice
Kim, H. W., Lee, J. E., Cha, J. J., Hyun, Y. Y., Kim, J. E., Lee, M. H., Song, H. K., Nam, D. H., Han, J., Han, S. Y., et al. (2013) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.2012-2276 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Amino Acid Sensing in Metabolic Homeostasis and Health.
Hu, X.-M., & Guo, F. (2020) · Endocrine reviews · doi:10.1210/endrev/bnaa026 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Chen, W., Hoo, R. L. C., Konishi, M., Itoh, N., Lee, P.-C., Ye, H., Lam, K. S. L., & Xu, A. (2011) · Journal of Biological Chemistry · doi:10.1074/jbc.m111.285965 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Self-citationUnderstanding bile acid signaling in diabetes: From pathophysiology to therapeutic targets
Ferrell, J. M., & Chiang, J. Y. L. (2019) · Diabetes & Metabolism Journal · doi:10.4093/dmj.2019.0043 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
- Authors
- Zhang, X., Yeung, D. C. Y., Karpisek, M., Stejskal, D., Zhou, Z.-G., Liu, F., Wong, R. L. C., Chow, W.-S., Tso, A. W. K., Lam, K. S. L., & Xu, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Hong Kong (HK)
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Nemocnice Šternberk (CZ)
- Diabetes Center, Institute of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Xu, Aimin
- Venue
- Diabetes
- Publisher
- American Diabetes Association
- Published
- 2008-05-01
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1246-1253
- ISSN
- 0012-1797 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-327X
- OpenAlex
- W2147029239
- Cited by
- 908
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 26 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 63 · 2021: 63 · 2020: 58 · 2019: 68 · 2018: 61 · 2017: 62 · 2016: 71 · 2015: 56 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 47
- FWCI
- 13.15
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2019-01-01)
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Diabetes (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University) (submittedVersion)
- The HKU Scholars Hub (University of Hong Kong) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Fibroblast Growth Factor Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › GDF15 and Related Biomarkers
- Keywords
- FGF21, obesity, metabolic syndrome, adipokines, adipose tissue, liver, 3T3-L1 adipocytes, db/db mice, insulin resistance, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, adiposity
- MeSH terms
- Animals, China, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Fibroblast Growth Factors, Glucose Tolerance Test, Humans, Mammals, Obesity, Reference Values, RNA, Messenger, Sensitivity and Specificity, Body Mass Index, Metabolic Syndrome, Asian People
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review