Effects of Irisin and Exercise on Metabolic Parameters and Reproductive Hormone Levels in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Female Mice

Abstract

It has been documented that exogenously administered irisin (10(10) fibronectin-type III domain-containing 5 [FNDC5]), which is a new polypeptide hormone, induces the browning of subcutaneous fat and thermogenesis. In this study, effects of physical activity and exogenous administration of irisin were investigated on parameters related with reproduction and metabolism in the high-fat diet-induced obesity model of the female C57BL/6J mice. Sixty mice were gathered at age approximately 5 to 6weeks and were divided into 3 groups. Control group remained sedentary. Irisin group remained also sedentary but intravenously received 10(10) FNDC5-expressing adenovirus after 20 weeks. Exercise group performed treadmill after 6 weeks. All mice were sacrificed 22 to 23 weeks after the start of the study. There was a significantly greater weight in the controls compared with the irisin and exercise groups (P .05), whereas primary and secondary follicles per ovary were higher in the irisin and exercise groups compared with controls (P < .05). Pharmacologic introduction of irisin may improve metabolic factors such as insulin sensitivity and obesity by promoting weight loss and consequently improving the reproductive potential.