The emerging roles of irisin in vascular calcification

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Diseases

Background:

• Vascular calcification involves calcium deposition in vessel walls, impairing blood vessel function and often accompanying chronic diseases.
• Despite increased diagnosis rates, effective treatments to reverse vascular calcification remain elusive due to its complex mechanisms.
• Irisin, a cytokine involved in energy and glucose metabolism, has emerged as a potential factor in vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the association between irisin and vascular calcification risk factors.
• To explore the mechanistic role of irisin in the development and progression of vascular calcification.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating irisin's role in vascular calcification.
• Analysis of existing research on irisin's effects on hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
• Examination of studies detailing irisin's impact on vascular endothelial function and smooth muscle cell phenotype.

Main Results:

• Irisin has been identified as a predictor of vascular calcification.
• Irisin demonstrates protective effects against major risk factors for vascular calcification, including hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
• Mechanistically, irisin improves vascular endothelial dysfunction and influences vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic transformation.

Conclusions:

• Irisin plays a significant predictive and protective role in vascular calcification.
• Understanding irisin's mechanisms offers potential therapeutic targets for managing vascular calcification.
• Further investigation into irisin is warranted for developing novel strategies against vascular calcification.