Fructose ingestion acutely stimulates circulating FGF21 levels in humans

• Published in: Molecular metabolism (Germany) 2015-01, Vol.4 (1), p.51-57
• Main Authors: Dushay, Jody R, Toschi, Elena, Mitten, Emilie K, Fisher, Ffolliott M, Herman, Mark A, Maratos-Flier, Eleftheria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brief Communication; ChREBP; Endocrinology & Metabolism; FGF21; Fructose; Metabolic syndrome
• ISSN: 2212-8778; 2212-8778
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2014.09.008

Abstract Objective Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hormone with pleiotropic metabolic activities which, in rodents, is robustly regulated by fasting and ketogenic diets. In contrast, similar dietary interventions have either no or minimal effects on circulating FGF21 in humans. Moreover, no intervention or dietary challenge has been shown to acutely stimulate circulating FGF21 in either humans or animals. Recent animal data suggest that the transcription factor Carbohydrate Responsive-Element Binding Protein (ChREBP) stimulates hepatic FGF21 expression and that fructose may activate hepatic ChREBP more robustly than glucose. Here, we examined whether fructose ingestion can acutely stimulate FGF21 in humans. Methods We measured serum FGF21, glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels in ten lean, healthy adults and eleven adults with the metabolic syndrome following oral ingestion of 75 g of glucose, fructose, or a combination of the two sugars. Results FGF21 levels rose rapidly following fructose ingestion, achieved a mean 3.4-fold increase at two hours ( P