Myokines are a class of small signaling proteins, or peptides, secreted by skeletal muscle fibers, particularly in response to muscle contraction during physical activity. These molecules function as hormones, communicating with distant organs like the liver, adipose tissue, and brain, linking muscle activity to systemic metabolic and endocrine health. They are key mediators of the beneficial effects of exercise, influencing insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and energy metabolism.
Origin
The term was formally introduced in the early 2000s following the discovery that muscle tissue, traditionally viewed primarily as a locomotor organ, also functions as an endocrine organ. This revelation fundamentally changed the physiological understanding of muscle’s role in whole-body health and disease. The etymology combines myo (muscle) and kine (movement or signaling).
Mechanism
Upon muscle contraction, the mechanical and metabolic stress triggers the release of various myokines, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), irisin, and myostatin, into the bloodstream. Irisin, for example, is thought to act on adipose tissue, promoting the browning of white fat and increasing thermogenesis. Other myokines modulate local muscle growth (autocrine/paracrine effects) or improve insulin signaling in the liver and fat cells, demonstrating a powerful endocrine loop that integrates muscle activity with metabolic homeostasis.
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