What is the Origin of Myokine Production?

The term originated in exercise physiology and endocrinology, following the discovery that contracting muscle releases molecules with systemic effects, fundamentally changing the view of muscle tissue from merely mechanical to metabolically active. The term myokine combines the Greek roots myo (muscle) and kinos (movement or signaling).

What is the Mechanism of Myokine Production?

Muscle contraction triggers a cascade of intracellular events, leading to the transcription and release of specific myokines, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Irisin, into the circulation. Once released, these molecules exert pleiotropic effects, including enhancing peripheral insulin sensitivity in the liver and muscle, promoting the browning of white adipose tissue, and supporting neurogenesis in the brain. The quantity and type of myokines produced are dependent on the intensity and duration of physical activity.

Myokine Production

Meaning

Myokine Production is the physiological process involving the synthesis and secretion of various signaling peptides, known as myokines, directly from skeletal muscle fibers, particularly in response to physical contraction and mechanical load. These myokines function as hormones, mediating critical cross-talk between the muscle tissue and distant organs, including the liver, adipose tissue, and brain. This process establishes skeletal muscle as a vital endocrine organ, integral to metabolic and systemic health.