Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF-21) is a hormone-like protein primarily produced in the liver, with additional expression in adipose tissue, pancreas, and skeletal muscle. It belongs to the FGF family but functions in an endocrine manner, exerting systemic metabolic effects. Native or human nFGF-21 plays a key role in regulating glucose uptake, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and energy homeostasis. Its expression is strongly induced under metabolic stress conditions, such as fasting, ketogenic diets, obesity, and mitochondrial dysfunction, positioning it as a critical biomarker of metabolic adaptation and cellular stress.
In clinical settings, nFGF-21 has gained attention as a potential biomarker for metabolic disorders, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type 2 diabetes, obesity, and mitochondrial diseases. Elevated circulating levels of FGF-21 have been observed in individuals with insulin resistance and liver steatosis, suggesting a compensatory mechanism for impaired metabolic function. Additionally, in research, FGF-21 is used to investigate therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome and as a tool to study mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism. Due to its rapid response to metabolic changes, human nFGF-21 is increasingly used in translational studies to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological interventions targeting metabolic pathways.
This product is manufactured in USA by Eagle Biosciences.