Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2020, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (20): 3275-3280.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2647

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Fibroblast growth factor 21 regulates browning of white fat: the role of exercise

Wang Lu, Yu Liang   

  1. School of Sports and Human Sciences, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
  • Received:2019-09-17 Revised:2019-09-18 Accepted:2019-11-15 Online:2020-07-18 Published:2020-04-14
  • Contact: Yu Liang, MD, Associate professor, School of Sports and Human Sciences, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
  • About author:Wang Lu, Master candidate, School of Sports and Human Sciences, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
  • Supported by:
    the Fok Ying Tung Education Foundation, No. 151095; the Self-Dependent Research Project of Beijing Sport University, No. 2016YB047 and 2017YB028

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) is a newly discovered metabolic regulator that has been expressed in various tissues and organs such as liver, fat and skeletal muscle. Numerous studies have shown that FGF-21 is involved in the browning of white fat, but there is less review of this aspect worldwide. Especially the mediation of exercise is still controversial.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the inducing factors and mechanism of FGF-21 regulating the browning of white fat, especially the effects of exercise on it, in order to provide new targets for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases.

METHODS: A computer-based search of CNKI and PubMed databases was performed for relevant articles published from January 2001 to July 2019 using the keywords of “FGF-21, browning, exercise, fat” in Chinese and English, respectively. Finally, 45 eligible articles were included in results analysis according to the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: FGF-21 can enter the blood in autocrine, endocrine and paracrine patterns to regulate glycolipid metabolism, improve insulin resistance, prevent liver disease, and promote the browning of white fat. Exercise can induce the secretion and expression of FGF-21, thereby effectively regulating the activation of brown fat and browning of white fat to achieve fat loss. Due to differences in exercise patterns, exercise intensity, and exercise time, the current process of exercise-mediated FGF-21 involvement in the browning of white fat needs further study.

Key words: FGF-21, browning of white fat, exercise, metabolic regulator, fibroblast growth factor 21

CLC Number: