Pancreatic fibroblast growth factor 21 protects against type 2 diabetes in mice by promoting insulin expression and secretion in a PI3K/Akt signaling-dependent manner.

ABSTRACT: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is important in glucose, lipid homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. However, it remains unknown whether FGF21 is involved in insulin expression and secretion that are dysregulated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we found that FGF21 was down-regulated in pancreatic islets of db/db mice, a mouse model of T2DM, along with decreased insulin expression, suggesting the possible involvement of FGF21 in maintaining insulin homeostasis and islet β-cell function. Importantly, FGF21 knockout exacerbated palmitate-induced islet β-cell failure and suppression of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Pancreatic FGF21 overexpression significantly increased insulin expression, enhanced GSIS, improved islet morphology and reduced β-cell apoptosi

SUBMITTER: Pan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6349243 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature