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Does IRISIN Have a BRITE Future as a Therapeutic Agent in Humans?
Brian A Irving1, Christopher D Still2, George Argyropoulos3
1Department of Gastroenterology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA USA ; Geisinger Obesity Institute, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA USA ; Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA USA ; Geisinger Obesity Institute, Geisinger Health System, 100 N. Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17868 USA.
Current Obesity Reports
|May 13, 2014
Summary
Irisin, a potential myokine, may treat obesity by promoting the browning of white fat cells. Further research is needed to confirm irisin
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Health and Obesity Research
- Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Obesity is a growing epidemic linked to serious health issues like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Myokines, secreted by skeletal muscle, are implicated in exercise benefits and may offer therapeutic potential for obesity.
- Irisin, a recently identified myokine, has shown promise in preliminary studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of irisin as a therapeutic agent for obesity.
- To discuss the phenomenon of white adipose tissue (WAT) browning and irisin's role.
- To examine the implications of FNDC5 gene expression in human WAT.
Main Methods:
- Review of preliminary studies on irisin's effect on white adipocyte browning in mice.
- Discussion of FNDC5 gene expression patterns in human muscle and white adipose tissues.
- Analysis of current limitations in irisin detection and research.
Main Results:
- Preliminary evidence suggests irisin can induce browning of white adipocytes in mice.
- The FNDC5 gene, encoding irisin, is expressed in human muscle and white adipose tissues.
- Challenges exist in reliably detecting circulating irisin due to antibody limitations.
Conclusions:
- Irisin holds potential as an anti-obesity therapeutic if mouse findings translate to humans.
- Autocrine mechanisms in human WAT may contribute to thermogenesis via irisin.
- Further research is crucial to validate irisin's efficacy and overcome detection challenges.
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