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New Hormone FGF21 Shows Promise Against Obesity

4/22/2026

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Story summary
  • Researchers at the University of Oklahoma identified the hormone FGF21, which may help reverse obesity by targeting a brain region that controls metabolism and appetite.
  • The study, published in Cell Reports, suggests FGF21 could inform therapies for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
  • Hormone specialist Peter Balazs warned that results from mouse models may not translate to humans and noted potential side effects like digestive issues and bone loss.
  • He highlighted that early human trials showed only modest weight loss compared to GLP-1 treatments, indicating the need for further safety trials before clinical use.