Researchers found that mice given FGF21 had a faster recovery rate than those who did not receive it. Researchers believe it could be used in the treatment of alcohol poisoning.
According to recent research, administering the naturally occurring hormone FGF21 to mice resulted in a faster recovery rate than mice that did not receive it. The findings suggest that FGF21 may hold promise for the treatment of alcohol poisoning.
The study was conducted by a team of scientists who have been studying FGF21 for years as a potential treatment for drinking. FGF21 is produced by the liver and plays a role in alcohol metabolism. Previous studies have shown that alcohol is a strong inducer of FGF21 in both mice and humans. The team’s previous research has also demonstrated that alcohol increases the desire to drink water in mice, which could help prevent alcohol-related dehydration, and may even suppress the desire for alcohol.
In the team’s latest study, they compared the effects of alcohol on mice that were not bred to produce FGF21 with regular mice that had been given high doses of alcohol. The researchers found that the mice that did not have FGF21 were more intoxicated than the regular mice, and that mice given FGF21 recovered from their intoxication an average of one and a half hours faster than those that did not receive it. The researchers also found that FGF21 activates a part of the brain responsible for alertness, known as the noradrenergic nerve system.
The senior researcher and biochemist, Steven Kliewer, said that he discovered that the liver not only plays a role in alcohol metabolism but also sends a hormone signal to the brain to protect it from the harmful effects of intoxication, such as loss of consciousness and coordination. The team’s research has shown that injecting FGF21 at higher levels can significantly accelerate the recovery process from intoxication.
While the results are promising, more research is needed to determine if the same benefits will be seen in humans. If further research supports the team’s findings, FGF21 may be a potentially life-saving treatment for acute alcohol poisoning patients. Kliewer suggested that FGF21 could increase alertness, helping patients avoid choking on their own vomit and speeding up the evaluation and treatment of any other injuries.
The team plans to continue their research to determine which pathways FGF21 activates in the brain when it acts as a “hormonal cold-shower.”
