Scientific Reports (Jun 2017)

Irisin prevents and restores bone loss and muscle atrophy in hind-limb suspended mice

  • Graziana Colaianni,
  • Teresa Mongelli,
  • Concetta Cuscito,
  • Paolo Pignataro,
  • Luciana Lippo,
  • Giovanna Spiro,
  • Angela Notarnicola,
  • Ilenia Severi,
  • Giovanni Passeri,
  • Giorgio Mori,
  • Giacomina Brunetti,
  • Biagio Moretti,
  • Umberto Tarantino,
  • Silvia C. Colucci,
  • Janne E. Reseland,
  • Roberto Vettor,
  • Saverio Cinti,
  • Maria Grano

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02557-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract We previously showed that Irisin, a myokine released from skeletal muscle after physical exercise, plays a central role in the control of bone mass. Here we report that treatment with recombinant Irisin prevented bone loss in hind-limb suspended mice when administered during suspension (preventive protocol) and induced recovery of bone mass when mice were injected after bone loss due to a suspension period of 4 weeks (curative protocol). MicroCT analysis of femurs showed that r-Irisin preserved both cortical and trabecular bone mineral density, and prevented a dramatic decrease of the trabecular bone volume fraction. Moreover, r-Irisin protected against muscle mass decline in the hind-limb suspended mice, and maintained the fiber cross-sectional area. Notably, the decrease of myosin type II expression in unloaded mice was completely prevented by r-Irisin administration. Our data reveal for the first time that Irisin retrieves disuse‐induced bone loss and muscle atrophy. These findings may lead to development of an Irisin-based therapy for elderly immobile osteoporotic and physically disable patients, and might represent a countermeasure for astronauts subjected to microgravity-induced bone and muscle losses.