Recombinant irisin induces weight loss in high fat DIO mice through increase in energy consumption and thermogenesis

Irisin is known to be an important metabolic regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism. The aims of the present study are to assess the role of mouse Irisin in obesity and energy metabolism and its glucose and lipid-lowering effects in a high-fat diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice model.

DIO mice were treated with recombinant murine Irisin or vehicle, and parameters such as body weight, feed intake, glucose, and lipid levels, obesity, energy consumption, and insulin sensitivity were assessed. mRNA and protein levels of UCP1 and different thermogenesis biomarker were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, in tissues and major metabolic organs.

Irisin decreased body weight and whole-body fat mass in DIO mice in a dose dependent manner due to marked increases in total energy expenditure. It also lowered blood glucose, insulin, and lipid levels and possibly reversed hepatic steatosis. Irisin improved hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in DIO mice along with body weight reduction and adiposity. Gene expression of UCP1 in different organs (adipose tissue and major organs, i.e., liver, kidney, heart, brain, and spleen) have suggested the role of irisin is global. Gene expression profile of different biomarkers in spleen suggest a profound role of Irisin in inflammation. Liver tissue have also shown significant increase of UCP1 expression in dose dependent manner which suggest a role of irisin in liver.