Myokine release protocols are structured, evidence-based exercise and nutritional strategies specifically designed to maximize the synthesis and secretion of myokines, which are small signaling proteins released by contracting skeletal muscle fibers. These protocols utilize specific parameters of exercise, such as intensity, duration, and type, to enhance the muscle’s role as an active endocrine organ. The released myokines, including beneficial factors like irisin and IL-6, exert potent paracrine and endocrine effects on distant tissues, influencing metabolic function, inflammation, and neurogenesis.
Origin
The term is derived from “myokine,” coined from the Greek myo (muscle) and kinos (movement/signal), and “release protocols,” highlighting the structured methodology required to optimize their secretion. The discovery that muscle actively secretes signaling molecules, fundamentally transforming its role from a mere effector organ to a vital endocrine gland, is foundational to this concept.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism involves the mechanical tension and metabolic stress generated within the muscle cell during exercise, which activates specific intracellular signaling pathways like PGC-1alpha. This activation triggers the gene expression and subsequent secretion of various myokines into the circulation. These circulating peptides then act on tissues such as adipose tissue, liver, and brain, mediating effects such as improved insulin sensitivity, enhanced lipid metabolism, and the browning of white fat.
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