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Exercised-induced hormone may have therapeutic potential
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Irisin, a fat-burning hormone that is released during exercise, is a potential mechanism for the regulation of bone metabolism, according to findings from Tufts University.
Previous studies have revealed that exercise induces the production of irisin; however, it was unknown whether the hormone was secreted by the bone upon exercise or whether it regulates bone metabolism, according to a press release.
Jake Chen, DMD, MDS, PhD, professor and biological sciences researcher at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and colleagues tested a group of mice with 2 weeks of voluntary wheel running vs. mice without access to a running wheel. The running group expressed six times the irisin in the bone tissue across several bone regions.
When mice were injected with irisin, the researchers found significant increases in bone volume and thickness vs. control mice. The injected irisin increased the production of osteoblasts and mineralization, while inhibiting the production of osteoclasts.
“Exercise-induced irisin may not only act as an endocrine factor capable of promoting the browning of white adipose tissue, but could also regulate bone metabolism by autocrine mechanisms,” Chen said in the release. “Our results suggest that irisin may have a therapeutic potential in strengthening bone in bone-loss-associated diseases, and additional studies are needed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms by which irisin functions.”
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.