Irisin: A Bright or a Dark Future?

• Type: Article in National Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Pereira, A (Author) Other; André Pinho (Author) FMUP; Carvalho, Davide (Author) FMUP; Maia, JC (Author) Other; Freitas, P (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Revista Portuguesa de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo

Vol. 14

Pages: 82-87

ISSN: 1646-3439

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-50C

DOI: 10.1016/j.rpedm.14.1.ar180091

Abstract (EN): Seven years ago, irisin was first announced as a new and exciting myokine, which was secreted by the skeletal muscle in response to exercise and contributed for some of the health benefits promoted by physical activity. It was suggested that exercise stimulates the increase of the amount of the coactivator PGC-la, which subsequently increases the expression of FNDC5. a membrane protein that is proteolytically cleaved to form irisin. Once released into the bloodstream, irisin connects to a yet unknown receptor on the surface of white fat cells and promotes a special process known as "browning" of white adipose tissue, which increases thermogenesis and the energy expenditure. Since its discovery, great hopes have been raised, and the association between irisin and these abovementioned functions led this myokine to be considered a potential therapeutic weapon in the fight against obesity and other related metabolic disorders. such as diabetes. However. concerns about its presence, regulation and the yet-to-be fully understood functions associated with inconstant results, put the future of irisin in doubt. Therefore, caution needs to be taken in expressing optimism, and the near future will be a challenge for irisin's ability to survive as a useful tool in the treatment of metabolic diseases. Meanwhile, new associations between irisin, neoplastic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases are being deduced and further studies will help to clarify the role of irisin in humans.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Dissemination

No. of pages: 6