Myokines are signaling proteins, peptides, and other factors secreted and released by skeletal muscle fibers in response to muscle contraction, functioning in an autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine manner. These molecules are essential communicators linking muscle activity to systemic metabolic regulation, acting as “myocyte hormones.” Factors like Irisin or Interleukin-6, when released as myokines, influence distant organs such as the liver, adipose tissue, and brain, impacting glucose uptake and energy expenditure. They represent a critical link between physical activity and hormonal health.
Origin
The term is a portmanteau of “myo-” (muscle) and “-kine” (movement/signaling), coined to describe the newly recognized endocrine function of skeletal muscle tissue. This concept shifted the understanding of muscle from purely a mechanical effector to an active endocrine organ. Its origin in exercise physiology underscores the systemic benefits derived from muscular work beyond simple strength gains.
Mechanism
During exercise, the mechanical stress and metabolic demand trigger the transcription and release of specific myokines from contracting myocytes. For instance, IL-6, released from muscle, can stimulate lipolysis in adipose tissue and enhance hepatic glucose output to fuel the activity. Other myokines, like BDNF, can cross the blood-brain barrier to influence neuroplasticity and appetite regulation. This release mechanism allows muscle contraction to exert rapid, systemic control over energy substrate mobilization and utilization.
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