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Jin T. Hormone based therapy and crosstalk beyond hormones. MEDICAL REVIEW (2021) 2024; 4:257-261. [PMID: 39135606 PMCID: PMC11317080 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2024-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Tianru Jin
- Division of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto Medical Discovery Tower, MaRS, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Feng JN, Jin T. Hepatic function of glucagon-like peptide-1 and its based diabetes drugs. MEDICAL REVIEW (2021) 2024; 4:312-325. [PMID: 39135602 PMCID: PMC11317081 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2024-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Incretins are gut-produced peptide-hormones that potentiate insulin secretion, especially after food intake. The concept of incretin was formed more than 100 years ago, even before insulin was isolated and utilized in the treatment of subjects with type 1 diabetes. The first incretin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), was identified during later 1960's and early 1970's; while the second one, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), was recognized during 1980's. Today, GLP-1-based therapeutic agents [also known as GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, GLP-1RAs] are among the first line drugs for type 2 diabetes. In addition to serving as incretin, extra-pancreatic functions of GLP-1RAs have been broadly recognized, including those in the liver, despite the absence of GLP-1R in hepatic tissue. The existence of insulin-independent or gut-pancreas-liver axis-independent hepatic function of GLP-1RAs explains why those therapeutic agents are effective in subjects with insulin resistance and their profound effect on lipid homeostasis. Following a brief review on the discovery of GLP-1, we reviewed literature on the exploration of hepatic function of GLP-1 and GLP-1RAs and discussed recent studies on the role of hepatic hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in mediating function of GLP-1RAs in animal models. This was followed by presenting our perspective views.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Nuo Feng
- Division of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tianru Jin
- Division of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Feng JN, Shao W, Jin T. Short-term semaglutide treatment improves FGF21 responsiveness in primary hepatocytes isolated from high fat diet challenged mice. Physiol Rep 2023; 11:e15620. [PMID: 36905134 PMCID: PMC10006666 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic functions of GLP-1 and its analogues have been extensively investigated. In addition to acting as an incretin and reducing body weight, we and others have suggested the existence of GLP-1/fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) axis in which liver mediates certain functions of GLP-1 receptor agonists. In a more recent study, we found with surprise that four-week treatment with liraglutide but not semaglutide stimulated hepatic FGF21 expression in HFD-challenged mice. We wondered whether semaglutide can also improve FGF21 sensitivity or responsiveness and hence triggers the feedback loop in attenuating its stimulation on hepatic FGF21 expression after a long-term treatment. Here, we assessed effect of daily semaglutide treatment in HFD-fed mice for 7 days. HFD challenge attenuated effect of FGF21 treatment on its downstream events in mouse primary hepatocytes, which can be restored by 7-day semaglutide treatment. In mouse liver, 7-day semaglutide treatment stimulated FGF21 as well as genes that encode its receptor (FGFR1) and the obligatory co-receptor (KLB), and a battery of genes that are involved in lipid homeostasis. In epididymal fat tissue, expressions of a battery genes including Klb affected by HFD challenge were reversed by 7-day semaglutide treatment. We suggest that semaglutide treatment improves FGF21 sensitivity which is attenuated by HFD challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Nuo Feng
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Division of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - Weijuan Shao
- Division of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - Tianru Jin
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Division of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
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Jin T. Fibroblast growth factor 21 and dietary interventions: what we know and what we need to know next. MEDICAL REVIEW (BERLIN, GERMANY) 2022; 2:524-530. [PMID: 37724164 PMCID: PMC10388781 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2022-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Dietary interventions include the change of dietary styles, such as fasting and dietary or nutrient restrictions; or the addition of plant-derived compounds (such as polyphenols known as curcumin, resveratrol, or anthocyanin, or other nutraceuticals) into the diet. During the past a few decades, large number of studies have demonstrated therapeutic activities of these dietary interventions on metabolic and other diseases in human subjects or various animal models. Mechanisms underlying those versatile therapeutic activities, however, remain largely unclear. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a liver-derived hormone or hepatokine, mediates metabolic beneficial effects of certain dietary polyphenols as well as protein restriction. Here I have briefly summarized functions of FGF21, highlighted related dietary interventions, and presented literature discussions on role of FGF21 in mediating function of dietary polyphenol intervention and protein restriction. This is followed by presenting my perspective view, with the involvement of gut microbiota. It is anticipated that further breakthroughs in this field in the near future will facilitate conceptual merge of classical medicine and modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianru Jin
- Division of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, TorontoCanada
- Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, TorontoCanada
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Shao W, Jin T. Hepatic hormone FGF21 and its analogues in clinical trials. Chronic Dis Transl Med 2021; 8:19-25. [PMID: 35620160 PMCID: PMC9126297 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdtm.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a fasting or stress inducible metabolic hormone produced mainly in the liver. It plays important roles in regulating both glucose and lipid homeostasis via interacting with a heterodimeric receptor complex comprising FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and β‐klotho (KLB). For the past decade, great effort has been made on developing FGF21 derivatives or specific FGF21 receptor agonists into therapeutic agents for various metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and more importantly, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here we have reviewed FGF21 gene and protein structures, its expression pattern, cellular signaling cascades that mediate FGF21 production and function. We have then summarized the six clinical trials utilizing four FGF21 analogues. Finally, two recent literatures on the development of GLP‐1 and FGF21 dual agonists were presented briefly.
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Badakhshi Y, Shao W, Liu D, Tian L, Pang J, Gu J, Hu J, Jin T. Estrogen-Wnt signaling cascade regulates expression of hepatic fibroblast growth factor 21. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2021; 321:E292-E304. [PMID: 34229476 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00638.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We have generated the transgenic mouse line LTCFDN in which dominant negative TCF7L2 (TCF7L2DN) is specifically expressed in the liver during adulthood. Male but not female LTCFDN mice showed elevated hepatic and plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, indicating the existence of estrogen-β-cat/TCF signaling cascade that regulates hepatic lipid homeostasis. We show here that hepatic fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) expression was reduced in male but not in female LTCFDN mice. The reduction was not associated with altered hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). In mouse primary hepatocytes (MPH), Wnt-3a treatment increased FGF21 expression in the presence of PPARα inhibitor. Results from our luciferase-reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation suggest that evolutionarily conserved TCF binding motifs (TCFBs) on Fgf21 promoter mediate Wnt-3a-induced Fgf21 transactivation. Female mice showed reduced hepatic FGF21 production and circulating FGF21 level following ovariectomy (OVX), associated with reduced hepatic TCF expression and β-catenin S675 phosphorylation. Finally, in MPH, estradiol (E2) treatment enhanced FGF21 expression, as well as binding of TCF7L2 and ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase II to the Fgf21 promoter; and the enhancement can be attenuated by the G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) antagonist G15. Our observations hence indicate that hepatic FGF21 is among the effectors of the newly recognized E2-β-cat/TCF signaling cascade.NEW & NOTEWORTHY FGF21 is mainly produced in the liver. Therapeutic effect of FGF21 analogues has been demonstrated in clinical trials on reducing hyperlipidemia. We show here that Fgf21 transcription is positively regulated by Wnt pathway effector β-cat/TCF. Importantly, hepatic β-cat/TCF activity can be regulated by the female hormone estradiol, involving GPER. The investigation enriched our understanding on hepatic FGF21 hormone production, and expanded our view on metabolic functions of the Wnt pathway in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Badakhshi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Divison of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Weijuan Shao
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Divison of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dinghui Liu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Tian
- Divison of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Juan Pang
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianqiu Gu
- Divison of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Departmemt of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Institute of Endocrinology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jim Hu
- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tianru Jin
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Divison of Advanced Diagnostics, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Li X, Wu X, Jia Y, Fu J, Zhang L, Jiang T, Liu J, Wang G. Liraglutide Decreases Liver Fat Content and Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Levels in Newly Diagnosed Overweight Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Diabetes Res 2021; 2021:3715026. [PMID: 34660809 PMCID: PMC8519721 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3715026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSES In this study, we aimed to verify plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) elevation in newly diagnosed overweight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to evaluate the effectiveness of liraglutide on reducing liver fat content and serum (FGF21) levels in those patients. METHODS A 12-week, single-center, prospective study was conducted. Twenty newly diagnosed overweight patients with T2DM and NAFLD were recruited. Twenty healthy age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) matched subjects were enrolled as the control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum FGF21 levels. Liver fat content was determined using the 3.0 T whole-body MRI scanner. RESULTS Those newly diagnosed overweight patients with T2DM and NAFLD had a BMI of 27.6 ± 0.5 kg/m2. They had higher levels of FGF21 (159.6 ± 35.7 vs. 124.1 ± 42.9 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and increased liver fat content (19.3 ± 9.4 vs. 4.5 ± 0.6%, P < 0.001) compared to the controls. Liraglutide treatment for 12 weeks induced a significant 4.9 kg weight loss (95% confidence interval (CI): -6.1, -3.7, P < 0.001), which was equivalent to a relative reduction of 6.8% (95% CI: 5.3%, 8.3%, P < 0.001). FGF21 levels decreased after the 12-week liraglutide treatment (159.6 ± 35.7 vs. 124.2 ± 27.8 pg/ml, P = 0.006). There was a positive correlation between relative changes of liver fat content and relative change of FGF21 (r = 0.645, P = 0.002). FGF21 levels significantly decreased in patients who had a significant decrease in liver fat content (≥29%) (95% CI: -262.8, -55.1, P = 0.006); however, there was no significant change in the patients without a significant decrease in liver fat content (<29%) (95% CI: -60.0, 54.1, P = 0.899). CONCLUSIONS Liraglutide treatment reduced both liver fat content and FGF21 levels in newly diagnosed overweight patients with T2DM and NAFLD. FGF21 may be a potential biomarker for evaluating the effects of liraglutide treatment on hepatic fat and glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Gong ti South Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiaojuan Wu
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Gong ti South Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yumei Jia
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Gong ti South Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Jing Fu
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Gong ti South Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Gong ti South Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Gong ti South Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Gong ti South Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Gong ti South Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100020, China
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