Rapid increase of fibroblast growth factor 21 under protein malnutrition and its impact on growth and lipid metabolism

Protein malnutrition promotes hepatic steatosis, decreases insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I production, and retards growth. In order to identify new molecules involved in such changes, we conducted DNA microarray analysis for liver samples of rats fed isoenergetic low protein diet for 8 hours, and identified fibroblast growth factor 21 (Fgf21) as one of the most strongly up-regulated genes under conditions of acute protein malnutrition (P<0.05, FDR<0.001). In addition, amino acid deprivation from the culture media increased Fgf21 mRNA levels in rat liver-derived RL-34 cells (P<0.01). Thus, it was suggested that amino acid limitation directly increases Fgf21 expression.

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