Effects of a Combined Endurance/Strength Training Program on Circulating Irisin Levels in Overweight/Obese Men and Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Abstract
Abstract Irisin is a promising therapeutic target in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as studies have demonstrated that irisin can induce “browning“ of adipocytes and mitigate pro-inflammatory conditions. Sex-specific changes in irisin levels have been reported in a study involving healthy men and women following physical training. The present study aims to analyze the effects of an 8-week training intervention on circulating irisin levels in patients with T2DM and to find out whether the training responses differ between T2DM men and women. Twenty-nine overweight/obese T2DM patients (19 men, 10 women; age: 46–74 years; body mass index >25 kg/m2) participated in a combined moderate-intensity endurance/strength training program (3 times a week). The irisin levels of men and women did not differ significantly. The post-training irisin levels did not differ significantly from the pre-training values, and there was no interaction effect of sex. This study shows no training-induced (sex-specific) changes in circulating irisin levels in T2DM patients. Large-scale studies using other forms of training are needed to fully clarify whether basal irisin levels can be changed in T2DM men and/or women to counteract T2DM.
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Irisin activates mTOR and ERK signaling pathways to promote muscle protein synthesis and satellite cell activation.
“Irisin also activates mTOR and ERK signaling pathways to promote muscle protein synthesis and satellite cell activation [46,47], suggesting dual benefits for improving body composition.”
From Exercise-Induced Myokines in Obesity-Related Metabolic Disorders and Cardiovascular Protection: A Narrative Review (2026) · cites this paper as [46]
The dual action of resistance training-promoting muscle protein synthesis via mTOR and ERK signaling while enhancing energy expenditure through irisin-mediated pathways-may offer potential advantages for improving body composition.
“The dual action of resistance training—promoting muscle protein synthesis via mTOR and ERK signaling while enhancing energy expenditure through irisin-mediated pathways—may offer potential advantages for improving body composition [46,47].”
From Exercise-Induced Myokines in Obesity-Related Metabolic Disorders and Cardiovascular Protection: A Narrative Review (2026) · cites this paper as [46]
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- Authors
- Brinkmann, C., Weh-Gray, O., Bloch, W., Brixius, K., Predel, H.-G., & Kreutz, T.
- Affiliations
- German Sport University Cologne (DE)
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne
- IST University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf
- Corresponding author
- Brinkmann, Christian
- Venue
- Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes
- Publisher
- Georg Thieme Verlag KG
- Published
- 2020-11-11
- Volume
- 130
- Issue
- 01
- Pages
- 37-42
- ISSN
- 0947-7349 (ISSN-L)
- 1439-3646
- OpenAlex
- W3098926741
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2
- FWCI
- 1.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- irisin, type 2 diabetes, endurance training, resistance training, combined exercise program, sex differences, overweight and obesity, inflammation
- MeSH terms
- Endurance Training, Aged, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Female, Fibronectins, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Overweight, Resistance Training
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