Summary
This narrative review examines the physiological roles of free fatty acids in regulating energy metabolism through their interaction with FFA receptors (FFARs), particularly GPR40, GPR120, GPR41, and GPR43. The authors synthesise recent evidence showing that selective FFAR agonists improve glucose metabolism and systemic metabolic disorders, whilst short-chain fatty acids exert anti-inflammatory and metabolic benefits through GPR41/GPR43 activation. The review emphasises that FFA signalling efficacy depends on carbon chain length and receptor ligand specificity, and proposes that modulating FFAR-mediated pathways may offer therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Regional applicability
The findings are mechanistic and disease-focused rather than food-system or agriculture-specific. For United Kingdom practice, the review's insights into FFA receptor pharmacology inform clinical approaches to metabolic disease prevention and treatment, but direct application requires localisation to UK dietary patterns and healthcare contexts.
Key measures
FFA receptor activation and ligand specificity; glucose metabolism; inflammatory markers; metabolic disorder parameters (obesity, diabetes indicators)
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on how free fatty acids (FFAs) signal through FFA receptors (FFARs) to regulate energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation. It reports that selective agonists of GPR40 and GPR120 improve glucose metabolism and systemic metabolic disorders, whilst short-chain FAs activate GPR41 and GPR43 with anti-inflammatory and metabolic benefits.
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