Abstract
Irisin is a novel hormone that provides a possible solution for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Discovered in 2012 by Boström et al., irisin very quickly became an interesting subject in medical research. Irisin has been found in cerebrospinal fluid, the cerebellum, thyroid, pineal gland, liver, pancreas, testis, spleen, adult stomach, and human fetuses. Regarding the actions of irisin, both in animals and humans, the results are contradictory but interesting. Its capability to influence adipose tissue and glycemic homeostasis may be utilized in order to treat hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, and other endocrine and metabolic disorders. Considering its osteogenic potential, irisin might be a therapeutic choice in diseases caused by a sedentary lifestyle. New data indicate that irisin treatment may serve in the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) infection. Furthermore, several therapeutic agents, such as insulin, metformin, fenofibrate, exenatide, and melatonin, influence the concentrations of irisin in animal models or in humans. Nutritional factors including polyunsaturated fatty acids may also have an effect on irisin concentrations. While it may be “too good to be true,” irisin offers many opportunities for future research that would aim to find its optimal therapeutical role in endocrine and metabolic diseases.
Highlights
Irisin was discovered by Boström et al in 2012
Recent studies have indicated that irisin acts mostly through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, which are involved in neural differentiation, browning of white adipocytes, and osteoblast proliferation, among others
Since the discovery of irisin, much attention has been drawn to its potential therapeutic implications in the treatment of a variety of endocrine and metabolic diseases
Summary
Irisin was discovered by Boström et al in 2012. During physical exercise, the expression of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FDNC5) encoded by FNDC5 gene, increases and undergoes cleavage, resulting in irisin secretion. Research has brought to attention a multitude of metabolic and nonmetabolic effects of irisin; for example, it has been shown to improve muscle–bone connectivity [6], the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) [7], and the reduction in insulin resistance and body mass index (BMI) [8,9,10,11,12]. Obesity and diabetes, which affect millions of people, as well as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and hypothalamic disorders, do not yet benefit from curative treatment. The negative association with BMI and percentage of fat mass might suggest an important role of irisin in the control of obesity [8,9,10,11,12]. Even if the results are somewhat contradictory, regarding the role of irisin in regulating fat tissue and BMI, research in progress is expected to improve upon current knowledge. We present the profile of irisin in several endocrine and metabolic disorders, along with its potential pharmacological uses
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