Figure 2.

FGF21 regulates intracellular metabolic homeostasis in different tissues. Multiple transcription factors can stimulate the transcriptional expression of FGF21, and FGF21 circulates to the target organ to bind to the receptors. In adipose tissue, FGF21 increases thermogenesis, upregulates insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake ability, and increases adiponectin secretion. In heart, FGF21 inhibits inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. In liver, FGF21 enhances fatty acid oxidation and insulin sensitivity, while inhibits VLDL uptake and lipogenesis. Moreover, FGF21 can increase insulin secretion and inhibit islet β cell apoptosis.