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Cited by 14Fibroblast Growth Factor ResearchPhysical Activity and HealthAdipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases

The effects of exercise on FGF21 in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Liu, Chuannan, Yan, Xujie, Zong, Yue, He, Yanan, Yang, Guan, Xiao, Yue, Wang, Songtao·2024·PeerJ
DOI 10.7717/peerj.17615PMC PMC11212618
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Abstract

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a key hormone factor that regulates glucose and lipid homeostasis. Exercise may regulate its effects and affect disease states. Therefore, we sought to determine how exercise affects FGF21 concentrations in adults. Methods: The review was registered in the International Prospective Systematic Review (PROSPERO, CRD42023471163). The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies through July 2023. Studies that assessed the effects of exercise training on FGF21 concentration in adults were included. The random effect model, data with standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to evaluate the pooled effect size of exercise training on FGF21. The risk of heterogeneity and bias were evaluated. A total of 12 studies involving 401 participants were included. Results: The total effect size was 0.3 (95% CI [−0.3–0.89], p = 0.33) when comparing participants who exercised to those who were sedentary. However, subgroup analysis indicated that concurrent exercise and a duration ≥10 weeks significantly decreased FGF21 concentrations with an effect size of −0.38 (95% CI [−0.74–−0.01], p < 0.05) and −0.38 (95% CI [−0.63–−0.13], p < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion: Concurrent exercise and longer duration may be more efficient way to decrease FGF21 concentrations in adults with metabolic disorder.

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  • These mediators contribute to central appetite control and neuronal plasticity, while FGF21, especially stimulated by resistance exercise, further modulates hypothalamic circuits and promotes the browning of white adipose tissue, enhancing thermogenesis.

    “These mediators contribute to central appetite control and neuronal plasticity, while FGF21, especially stimulated by resistance exercise, further modulates hypothalamic circuits and promotes the browning of white adipose tissue, enhancing thermogenesis (45).”

    From GLP-1 agonists and exercise: the future of lifestyle prioritization (2025) · cites this paper as [45]

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  • Both GLP-1RAs and physical exercise converge on common neural pathways, influencing brain regions involved in appetite regulation, energy balance, and cognitive function.

    “Emerging evidence suggests that both GLP-1RAs and physical exercise converge on common neural pathways, influencing brain regions involved in appetite regulation, energy balance, and cognitive function.”

    From GLP-1 agonists and exercise: the future of lifestyle prioritization (2025) · cites this paper as [45]

    The Introduction discusses exercise, FGF21, and FGF21’s presence in the brain, but does not compare exercise with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Searches for GLP-1RAs, shared neural pathways, appetite regulation, and cognitive function found no passage addressing the attributed claim. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Liu, C., Yan, X., Zong, Y., He, Y., Yang, G., Xiao, Y., & Wang, S.
Affiliations
  • South China Normal University (CN)
  • South China University of Technology (CN)
Corresponding author
Wang, Songtao
ORCID
Venue
PeerJ
Publisher
PeerJ
Published
2024-06-25
Volume
12
Pages
e17615
ISSN
2167-8359 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.7717/peerj.17615
PMC
PMC11212618
OpenAlex
W4400011699
Cited by
14
References
13
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8
FWCI
0.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PeerJ (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Fibroblast Growth Factor Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
Keywords
FGF21, exercise training, glucose homeostasis, lipid homeostasis, metabolic disorders, exercise duration, sedentary adults
MeSH terms
Adult, Fibroblast Growth Factors, Humans, Exercise

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