FGF-21 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF-21 is produced by hepatocytes in response to free fatty acid (FFA) stimulation of a PPARa/RXR dimeric complex. This situation occurs clinically during starvation, or following the ingestion of a high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet. Upon FGF-21 secretion, white adipose tissue is induced to release FFAs from triglyceride stores. Once FFAs reach hepatocytes, they are oxidized and reduced to acetyl-CoA.