Multiple roles of fibroblast growth factor 21 in metabolism.

It is necessary to use more effective and safer therapies to treat the increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases. The evidence from several studies indicates that FGF21 which acts as an endocrine hormone can induce beneficial influence to metabolism without apparent adverse effects. Thus, the pharmacologic and physiologic actions of FGF21 play a key role in controlling substrate utilization and energy balance. Recently, the developments in the understanding of FGF21 have contributed to make FGF21 a viable and promising therapeutic agent. This review discusses the functions of FGF21 in the high-fat-diet response, the relationship between exercise and the expression of FGF21, the interaction between FGF21 and some important hormone, the potential of FGF21 pharmacology in human and the methods to prolong the half-life of FGF21. These perspectives about FGF21's therapeutic potential highlight the importance of this molecule which could be a novel and attractive drug for metabolism disorder.