Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have isolated a natural hormone that has been linked to triggering increased fat burning in muscle cells. This observation could lead to increased health benefits from exercise.
This new hormone is called irisin, and researchers are investigating its potential use in treatments for diabetes, obesity, and maybe even cancer.
Researchers found this hormone while they were searching for explanations for how different cells interact with each other during exercise. As a result, the team of researchers were able to identify this new hormone as a new potential therapeutic treatment for the future.
Explaining how exactly exercise benefits the body is a somewhat unknown mechanism. However, this study shines light on the biological benefits exercise how on the body.
Initially, the study focused on the metabolic regulator gene, PGC1-alpha. The researchers found this gene was activated during exercise and was involved in regulating a number of other genes and proteins, involved in fat burning and other health benefits.
After thorough examination, irisin was found to be the source of regulation and was found to be present on the outer membrane of muscle cells, having a significant effect on white adipose tissue in mice.
Adipose tissue is the subcutaneous deposits of white fat, which is burned during exercise. In addition, adipose tissue represents storage of excess calories and a major component of obesity.
During exercise, irisin was produced and helped convert white adipose tissue to “brown” fat, a beneficial process. Brown fat is better than fat adipose fat because brown fat is more easily burned off as excess calories than white adipose fat.
In the study, researchers observed a 65 percent increase in irisin levels in mice after three weeks of free-wheel running. In humans, the effect was less dramatic, but showed a similar trend. After 10 weeks of endurance exercise training, irisin levels doubled.
With higher levels of irisin, there is more brown fat present, which increases the total-body energy expenditure. This influences a handful of changes in the body for the better, including diminishes insulin resistance, a warning sign for Type-2 diabetes.
People should not mistake irisin for replacing exercise. Purely increasing the conversion of different fats will not offer increased health benefits.
This study was published in the journal Nature.
