Unleashing the Power of Exercise: How Irisin Fights Osteoarthritis

Published on August 19, 2022

Osteoarthritis, a wear and tear disease that affects joints, can be combated with exercise. But what’s the science behind it? Enter irisin, a protein released by working muscles that has positive effects on bone and cartilage. Though recently discovered, irisin has already shown promise in improving bone density and preventing cartilage degeneration. This review explores the production and characteristics of irisin, as well as its connection to exercise and anti-aging. Additionally, it delves into how irisin regulates bone mineral density, bone metabolism, and chondrocyte (cartilage cell) homeostasis. These findings deepen our understanding of how exercise improves joint health and present exciting possibilities for osteoarthritis prevention and treatment. Curious to learn more? Dive into the fascinating research!

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative musculoskeletal disease characterized by pathological changes in joint structures along with the incidence of which increases with age. Exercise is recommended for all clinical treatment guidelines of osteoarthritis, but the exact molecular mechanisms are still unknown. Irisin is a newly discovered myokine released mainly by skeletal muscle in recent years—a biologically active protein capable of being released into the bloodstream as an endocrine factor, the synthesis and secretion of which is specifically induced by exercise-induced muscle contraction. Although the discovery of irisin is relatively recent, its role in affecting bone density and cartilage homeostasis has been reported. Here, we review the production and structural characteristics of irisin and discuss the effects of the different types of exercise involved in the current study on irisin and the role of irisin in anti-aging. In addition, the role of irisin in the regulation of bone mineral density, bone metabolism, and its role in chondrocyte homeostasis and metabolism is reviewed. A series of studies on irisin have provided new insights into the mechanisms of exercise training in improving bone density, resisting cartilage degeneration, and maintaining the overall environmental homeostasis of the joint. These studies further contribute to the understanding of the role of exercise in the fight against osteoarthritis and will provide an important reference and aid in the development of the field of osteoarthritis prevention and treatment.

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