Who would have thought—Myokines two decades on
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Dysregulation in myokine secretion can arise in the pathogenesis of age-related conditions, such as sarcopenia.
“Dysregulation in myokine secretion can arise in the pathogenesis of age-related conditions, such as sarcopenia [104,105].”
From Exerkines and Sarcopenia: Unveiling the Mechanism Behind Exercise-Induced Mitochondrial Homeostasis (2025) · cites this paper as [104]
Cites
A PGC1-α-dependent myokine that drives brown-fat-like development of white fat and thermogenesis
Boström, P., Wu, J., Jedrychowski, M. P., Korde, A., Ye, L., Lo, J. C., Rasbach, K. A., Boström, E. A., Choi, J. H., Long, J. Z., et al. (2012) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature10777 · Cited by 4,810 · see citing works
Muscles, exercise and obesity: skeletal muscle as a secretory organ
Pedersen, B. K., & Febbraio, M. A. (2012) · Nature Reviews Endocrinology · doi:10.1038/nrendo.2012.49 · Cited by 2,909 · see citing works
Self-citationSteensberg, A., van Hall, G., Osada, T., Sacchetti, M., Saltin, B., & Pedersen, B. K. (2000) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7793.2000.00237.x · Cited by 1,095 · see citing works
Self-citationRao, R. R., Long, J. Z., White, J. P., Svensson, K. J., Lou, J., Lokurkar, I., Jedrychowski, M. P., Ruas, J. L., Wrann, C. D., Lo, J. C., et al. (2014) · Cell · doi:10.1016/j.cell.2014.03.065 · Cited by 973 · see citing works
Extracellular Vesicles Provide a Means for Tissue Crosstalk during Exercise
Whitham, M., Parker, B. L., Friedrichsen, M. H., Hingst, J. R., Hjorth, M., Hughes, W. E., Egan, C. L., Cron, L., Watt, K. I., Kuchel, R. P., et al. (2018) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2017.12.001 · Cited by 689 · see citing works
Self-citationInterleukin-6 Is a Novel Factor Mediating Glucose Homeostasis During Skeletal Muscle Contraction
Febbraio, M. A., Hiscock, N., Sacchetti, M., Fischer, C. P., & Pedersen, B. K. (2004) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/diabetes.53.7.1643 · Cited by 455 · see citing works
Self-citationInter-organ cross-talk in metabolic syndrome
Priest, C., & Tontonoz, P. (2019) · Nature Metabolism · doi:10.1038/s42255-019-0145-5 · Cited by 279 · see citing works
Starkie, R. L., Rolland, J. M., Angus, D. J., Anderson, M. J., & Febbraio, M. A. (2001) · American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpcell.2001.280.4.c769 · Cited by 255 · see citing works
Self-citationUllum, H., Haahr, P., Diamant, M., Palmo, J., Halkjær-Kristensen, J., & Pedersen, B. K. (1994) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1994.77.1.93 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Self-citationHumoral Nature of the Hypoglycemic Factor of Muscular Work
Goldstein, M. S. (1961) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/diab.10.3.232 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 11 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Nature Reviews Endocrinology at 15
(2020) · Nature Reviews Endocrinology · doi:10.1038/s41574-020-00421-w · Cited by 270 · see citing works
Bilski, J., Pierzchalski, P., Szczepanik, M., Bonior, J., & Zoladz, J. A. (2022) · Cells · doi:10.3390/cells11010160 · Cited by 262 · see citing works
“Disorders in myokine secretion may play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related and metabolic diseases, including obesity, T2D, sarcopenia, and SO [111,243,244].”
BackgroundMechanisms by Which Skeletal Muscle Myokines Ameliorate Insulin Resistance
Balakrishnan, R., & Thurmond, D. C. (2022) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms23094636 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Obesity phenotypes and cardiovascular risk: From pathophysiology to clinical management
Preda, A., Carbone, F., Tirandi, A., Montecucco, F., & Liberale, L. (2023) · Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders · doi:10.1007/s11154-023-09813-5 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
“Of interest, the skeletal muscle is now increasingly considered as an endocrine organ secreting a large number of factors, termed myokines, that favour the metabolic dialogue between the muscle and other organs, including the adipose tissue [80].”
BackgroundHow does the skeletal muscle communicate with the brain in health and disease?
Isaac, A. R., Lima‐Filho, R. A. S., & Lourenco, M. V. (2021) · Neuropharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108744 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Lu, J., Han, S., Lv, X., Li, X., Zhang, Z., Kuang, H., Chen, Z., Lv, C.-A., Peng, W., Yang, Z., et al. (2023) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39710-z · Cited by 62 · see citing works
“In addition to serving as an important exercise and metabolic tissue, skeletal muscle has recently been identi fi ed as a secretory organ, producing and releasing ‘ myokines ’ to regulate systemic energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis via autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine mechanisms 5,6 .”
Myokines: Metabolic regulation in obesity and type 2 diabetes
Chen, Z.-T., Weng, Z.-X., Lin, J. D., & Meng, Z.-X. (2024) · Life Metabolism · doi:10.1093/lifemeta/loae006 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
“Since the hypothetical “hypoglycemic factor” was proposed in 1961 [298], emerging research results have been achieved in this field, which greatly promote our understanding of muscle biology and exercise-induced human health [299] (Fig.”
Anderson, J. E. (2021) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-021-04865-4 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
“Those actions are integrated into the network of signals released from inflammatory and other cells (Febbraio and Pedersen 2005, 2020; Pedersen and Febbraio 2008, 2012) including bone and adipose tissues (Kirk et al.”
BackgroundGenetic variation of putative myokine signaling is dominated by biological sex and sex hormones
Vélez, L. M., Van, C., Moore, T. M., Zhou, Z., Johnson, C., Hevener, A. L., & Seldin, M. M. (2022) · eLife · doi:10.7554/elife.76887 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Immune cell–adipose tissue crosstalk in metabolic diseases with a focus on type 1 diabetes
Alzaïd, F., Fagherazzi, G., Riveline, J., Bahman, F., Al‐Rashed, F., Al‐Mulla, F., & Ahmad, R. (2025) · Diabetologia · doi:10.1007/s00125-025-06437-z · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“For IL-6, divergence of beneficial and deleterious roles may be explained by its source (IL-6 also exists as an exercise-induced myokine) and/or exposure dose and duration [53, 54].”
Myofiber Baf60c controls muscle regeneration by modulating Dkk3-mediated paracrine signaling
Xu, J., Li, X., Chen, W., Zhang, Z., Zhou, Y., Gou, Y., Lv, C.-A., Lu, J., Qiu, X., Ma, S., et al. (2023) · The Journal of Experimental Medicine · doi:10.1084/jem.20221123 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“…impairs muscle regeneration and the muscle has recently emerged as an important endocrine organ through synthesizing and secreting of myokines (Febbraio and Pedersen, 2020; Pedersen and Febbraio, 2012), we speculated that Baf60c in skeletal myocyte could alter the microenvironment of MuSCs by…”
Exerkines and Sarcopenia: Unveiling the Mechanism Behind Exercise-Induced Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Wang, J., Jia, D., Zhang, Z., & Wang, D. (2025) · Metabolites · doi:10.3390/metabo15010059 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Polyamines and Physical Activity in Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Potential Therapeutic Challenge
Galasso, L., Cappella, A., Mulè, A., Castelli, L., Ciorciari, A. M., Stacchiotti, A., & Montaruli, A. (2023) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms24129798 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“In primary myocytes, more than hundreds of myokines have been characterized in humans and rodents although their biological function has been described for only 5% of these [4,7].”
BackgroundPotential Vitamin E Signaling Mediators in Skeletal Muscle
Meacci, E., Chirco, A., & Garcia‐Gil, M. (2024) · Antioxidants · doi:10.3390/antiox13111383 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Losasso, M. R., Parussolo, M. L. C., Silva, A. O., Direito, R., Quesada, K. R., Detregiachi, C. R. P., Bechara, M. D., Méndez‐Sánchez, N., Abenavoli, L., Araújo, A. C., et al. (2025) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms26104673 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Recent research suggests that myokines can also serve as therapeutic options and biomarkers for sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity [191–195].”
Sharma, A. R., Chatterjee, S., Lee, Y., & Lee, S. (2023) · Aging and Disease · doi:10.14336/ad.2023.00903 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
What Muscle Signals Mediate the Beneficial Effects of Exercise on Cognition?
Benarroch, E. E. (2022) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000201049 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Myokines also promote the shift of adipose tissue from the white to brown fat phenotype, facilitate glucose release by the liver and insulin secretion and response, and regulate bone resorption and inflammatory responses.(23,24)”
BackgroundRe, V. L., Russelli, G., Gerfo, E. L., Alduino, R., Bulati, M., Iannolo, G., Terzo, D., Martucci, G., Anzani, S., Panarello, G., et al. (2023) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1209905 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Tian, Q., Greig, E. E., Davatzikos, C. A., Landman, B. A., Resnick, S. M., & Ferrucci, L. (2024) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-024-55009-z · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Pierucci, F., Chirco, A., & Meacci, E. (2023) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms241310548 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“[4] as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α (PGC1-α)-dependent myokine, is secreted by SkM cells through proteolytic cleavage of the transmembrane protein fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 (FNDC5) expressed in the membrane [2,4,5].”
BackgroundSun, Z., Wu, Z., Zhu, L., Li, X., Xu, D., Tian, X., & Mao, D. (2024) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2024.1410068 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“This discovery suggests that regular exercise can regulate health bene fi ts through these muscle factors, particularly in reducing chronic in fl ammation (Febbraio and Pedersen, 2020).”
BackgroundEndocrine and skeletal muscle physiology optimizing avian migratory capabilities
Schlinger, B. A., Fuxjager, M. J., & Ramenofsky, M. (2025) · Journal of Avian Biology · doi:10.1002/jav.03415 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Bondi, D., Bevere, M., Piccirillo, R., Sorci, G., Felice, V. D., Cecconi, A. D. R., Damico, D. C. S., Pietrangelo, T., & Fulle, S. (2023) · Molecular Genetics and Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2023.107705 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Widespread tissue delivery of antagomiRs via intramuscular administration
Messios, C., Koutsoulidou, A., & Phylactou, L. A. (2025) · Molecular Therapy — Methods & Clinical Development · doi:10.1016/j.omtm.2025.101488 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“5 Consequently, research focus has shifted toward these novel molecules and particles as communication signals involving muscle tissue.”
Dordevic, A. L., & Williamson, G. (2023) · Molecular Nutrition & Food Research · doi:10.1002/mnfr.202300512 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Deng, X., Wang, X., Xiao, W., Li, S., Guo, Q., Huang, K., & Wang, N. (2025) · Chemical Engineering Journal · doi:10.1016/j.cej.2025.164612 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Cocciolone, L., Souparnika, A., Uvarova, V., Kessler, K., & van Oosten‐Hawle, P. (2025) · Cell Stress and Chaperones · doi:10.1016/j.cstres.2025.100127 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Effects of Common Myokines on Diabetes Mellitus
Yu, Z., Liu, Q., Zhu, Y., Guo, T., Jin, M., Hao, J., Qi, C., Miao, X., Xi, D., Fan, J., et al. (2022) · Journal of Diabetes Mellitus · doi:10.4236/jdm.2022.123013 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Linc-RAM is a metabolic regulator maintaining whole-body energy homeostasis in mice
Zhang, Q., Zhai, L., Chen, Q., Zhao, Y., Wang, R., Li, H., Gao, T., Chen, M., Zhu, D., & Zhang, Y. (2022) · Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica · doi:10.3724/abbs.2022170 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Metabolic small talk during exercise: The role of metabokines and lipokines in interorgan signalling
Gad, S. A., Smith, H., & Roberts, L. D. (2024) · Current Opinion in Endocrine and Metabolic Research · doi:10.1016/j.coemr.2024.100525 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Research Progress and Application Prospects of Myogenic Factors Involved in Bone and Fat Formation
刘, 登. (2023) · Advances in Clinical Medicine · doi:10.12677/acm.2023.13122651 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Liu, Q., Xue, B., Zhang, Y., Qin, M., Zhu, Z., Wang, Z., Li, H., Fan, S., Su, M., Li, S., et al. (2026) · Cell Reports Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.102585
“9 This traditional paradigm emphasizes its mechanical roles in locomotion and postural maintenance.”
Exercise as a multidomain intervention in aging and Alzheimer’s disease: State of the evidence
Marinho, L. S. R., An, L. G. Y. G., Riva, G. S., Prado, S. P., Pongilio, R. P., Donnici, G. K., Chiovitti, C. S., & Kihara, A. H. (2026) · Aging advances. · doi:10.4103/agingadv.agingadv-d-26-00003
Cao, R., Wei, H., Li, C., Deng, Q., Du, C., Lin, R., Xiao, T., & Lin, W. (2026) · Veterinary Sciences · doi:10.3390/vetsci13090927
“…such as IL-4 and IL-15 are also involved in muscle regeneration [14,15], IL-6 is unique in that it is directly induced by muscle contraction and acts in a hormone-like manner to regulate systemic metabolism, making it a prime candidate for mediating exercise-induced myofiber remodeling [16,17].”
- Authors
- Febbraio, M. A., & Pedersen, B. K.
- Affiliations
- Monash University (AU)
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Corresponding author
- Febbraio, Mark A.
- Venue
- Nature Reviews Endocrinology
- Published
- 2020-08-24
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 619-620
- ISSN
- 1759-5029 (ISSN-L)
- 1759-5037
- OpenAlex
- W3081306624
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 2.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nature Reviews Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
- Keywords
- myokines, skeletal muscle endocrine function, physical activity, obesity, adipokines
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Endocrine Glands, Humans, Interleukin-6, Cytokines, Muscle, Skeletal
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
