Research progress on the role of FGF21 in insulin resistance

The elevated global prevalence of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has led to a dramatic increase in patients with insulin resistance. The majority of insulin resistance is closely associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, resulting in impaired insulin signaling pathways....

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Main Authors: Haixin Zhang, Rongyu Zhu, Quanhao Sun, Likun Du
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1619462/full
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author Haixin Zhang
Rongyu Zhu
Quanhao Sun
Likun Du
author_facet Haixin Zhang
Rongyu Zhu
Quanhao Sun
Likun Du
author_sort Haixin Zhang
collection DOAJ
description The elevated global prevalence of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has led to a dramatic increase in patients with insulin resistance. The majority of insulin resistance is closely associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, resulting in impaired insulin signaling pathways. type 2 diabetes can be preceded by insulin resistance, and therefore, it is crucial to stop the progression of insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) holds a bright future in the therapeutic study of insulin resistance; it is involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and immune homeostasis while ameliorating the impaired insulin signaling pathway, improving the state of insulin resistance through multiple aspects. In this review, we describe the physiological properties and signaling pathways of FGF21 and elaborate on the mechanism of action of FGF21 in improving insulin resistance. Finally, the progress of FGF21 analog research is summarized in the context of the treatment of insulin resistance.
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series Frontiers in Endocrinology
spelling doaj-art-70352dbcf0574d528118b130e86e6ee72025-08-20T03:36:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-08-011610.3389/fendo.2025.16194621619462Research progress on the role of FGF21 in insulin resistanceHaixin Zhang0Rongyu Zhu1Quanhao Sun2Likun Du3School of Graduate Students, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, ChinaSchool of Graduate Students, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, ChinaSchool of Graduate Students, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, ChinaThe Second Department of Endocrine Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, ChinaThe elevated global prevalence of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has led to a dramatic increase in patients with insulin resistance. The majority of insulin resistance is closely associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, resulting in impaired insulin signaling pathways. type 2 diabetes can be preceded by insulin resistance, and therefore, it is crucial to stop the progression of insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) holds a bright future in the therapeutic study of insulin resistance; it is involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and immune homeostasis while ameliorating the impaired insulin signaling pathway, improving the state of insulin resistance through multiple aspects. In this review, we describe the physiological properties and signaling pathways of FGF21 and elaborate on the mechanism of action of FGF21 in improving insulin resistance. Finally, the progress of FGF21 analog research is summarized in the context of the treatment of insulin resistance.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1619462/fullinsulin resistanceFGF21signaling pathwayglucosehyperinsulinemia
spellingShingle Haixin Zhang
Rongyu Zhu
Quanhao Sun
Likun Du
Research progress on the role of FGF21 in insulin resistance
Frontiers in Endocrinology
insulin resistance
FGF21
signaling pathway
glucose
hyperinsulinemia
title Research progress on the role of FGF21 in insulin resistance
title_full Research progress on the role of FGF21 in insulin resistance
title_fullStr Research progress on the role of FGF21 in insulin resistance
title_full_unstemmed Research progress on the role of FGF21 in insulin resistance
title_short Research progress on the role of FGF21 in insulin resistance
title_sort research progress on the role of fgf21 in insulin resistance
topic insulin resistance
FGF21
signaling pathway
glucose
hyperinsulinemia
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1619462/full
work_keys_str_mv AT haixinzhang researchprogressontheroleoffgf21ininsulinresistance
AT rongyuzhu researchprogressontheroleoffgf21ininsulinresistance
AT quanhaosun researchprogressontheroleoffgf21ininsulinresistance
AT likundu researchprogressontheroleoffgf21ininsulinresistance