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You may not have thought about the key role the liver plays in controlling sugar intake!
In our daily diet, sugar intake is essential for energy supply. Many people may not know that in addition to eating habits, the liver plays a vital role in this process. The latest research indicates that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) secreted by the liver is one of the main hormones regulating sugar intake. This article will take a deeper look at the role of FGF-21 and its connection to liver health.
Basic knowledge of FGF-21
FGF-21 is a hormone secreted by the liver and belongs to the fibroblast growth factor family. It is specifically responsible for regulating the body's absorption and preference for sugar. This hormone can influence appetite and energy balance in the hypothalamus through its interaction with the FGF21 receptor. Studies have shown that FGF-21 can reduce dopamine neurotransmission, which in turn affects cravings for sweet foods.
Regulatory mechanism of FGF-21
The expression of FGF-21 is influenced by multiple factors, including hormones related to energy metabolism and nutritional status. In particular, FGF-21 showed a significant upward trend under starvation or ketogenic diet conditions, which means that the liver releases more FGF-21 under these conditions to promote energy utilization.
Studies have shown that FGF-21 promotes glucose uptake in adipocytes and is complementary to the action of insulin.
Effects of FGF-21 on glucose metabolism
FGF-21 helps increase glucose uptake in adipocytes, which is essential for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. When FGF-21 was injected into insulin-deficient animals, a significant decrease in blood sugar and triglyceride levels was observed. In addition, FGF-21 can also promote energy expenditure and fat utilization, thereby helping to prevent metabolic diseases caused by obesity.
Correlation between FGF-21 and diseases
Recent studies have shown that FGF-21 levels are significantly elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that it may play an important role in the pathology of diabetes. Elevated FGF-21 is positively correlated with liver fat content in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which has drawn attention to its potential therapeutic value in obesity and diabetes.
Scientists found that the FGF-21 rs838133 single nucleotide polymorphism is associated with sweet taste preference behavior in humans and mice, indicating a close link between genes and eating habits.
FG-21 in Animal Studies
Animal experiments showed that mice lacking FGF-21 could not normally induce PGC-1α expression under prolonged fasting, and their glucogensis and ketogenesis abilities were impaired. Injection of FGF-21 prompted the liver to express a variety of key regulatory factors related to glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism.
Future Research Directions
Currently, FGF-21, as a potential therapeutic target, may be of great significance for the treatment of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic-related diseases. As its mechanism of action is further understood, more effective treatment options may be developed.
As a key metabolic regulator, FGF-21 is not only an indicator of liver health, but may also be the key to future research. Have you ever wondered about the connection between your eating habits and the health of your liver?
