Fibroblast growth factor 21 (
FGF21) is a key regulator in
glucose and lipid metabolism and its plasma levels have been shown to be increased not only in humans in different situations such as
type 2 diabetes,
obesity, and
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease but also in animal models of
sepsis and
pancreatitis.
FGF21 is considered as a pharmacological candidate in conditions associated with
insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to compare
FGF21 plasma levels in patients with
sepsis, in patients with
systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and in healthy controls. We measured
FGF21 plasma concentrations in 22 patients with established
sepsis, in 11 with SIRS, and in 12 healthy volunteers. Here, we show that
FGF21 levels were significantly higher in plasma obtained from patients with
sepsis and SIRS in comparison with healthy controls. Also,
FGF21 levels were significantly higher in patients with
sepsis than in those with noninfectious SIRS.
FGF21 plasma levels measured at study entry correlated positively with the APACHE II score, but not with
procalcitonin levels, nor with
C-reactive protein, classical markers of
sepsis. Plasma concentrations of
FGF21 peaked near the onset of
shock and rapidly decreased with clinical improvement. Taken together, these results indicate that circulating levels of
FGF21 are increased in patients presenting with
sepsis and SIRS, and suggest a role for
FGF21 in
inflammation. Further studies are needed to explore the potential role of
FGF21 in
sepsis as a potential therapeutic target.