Article
Article
Irisin
Article By:
Polyzos, Stergios A. First Department of Pharmacology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.353050
A myokine/adipokine (a hormone produced by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, respectively) proposed primarily to induce the “browning” of white adipose tissue, thereby increasing thermogenesis and energy expenditure. Irisin was named after the ancient goddess Iris, who served as a messenger among the gods in Greek mythology. Likewise, irisin (Fig. 1) has been proposed to act as a messenger among skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and other tissues involved in energy homeostasis and metabolism. Although clinical trials must be carried out, irisin is a hopeful target for the treatment of a variety of metabolic and muscle diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), osteoporosis, and sarcopenia (the loss of skeletal muscle tissue with age). See also: Adipose tissue; Carbohydrate metabolism; Diabetes; Energy metabolism; Homeostasis; Hormone; Lipid metabolism; Metabolic disorders; Metabolism; Muscle; Obesity; Osteoporosis; Thermoregulation
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