Miokines: mediators of the effects of physical exercise in health

Abstract

Myokines are molecules secreted by skeletal muscle cells that have been recently linked with some well-known health benefits from exercise and physical activity, such as reduction in insulin resistance and inflammation. Examples of these molecules are interleukin-6 (IL-6), musclin, myostatin, follistatin, follistatin like protein 1 and apelin. Although there is a clear causal relationship between health and physical activity or exercise, little is known about the actual mechanisms behind it. The fundamental aim of this review is to present the current knowledge that justifies this positive association between physical activity or exercise, myokines and health.