EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN MYOKINE CONCENTRATION AND EXERCISE INTENSITY IN YOUNG INDIVIDUALS
Authors: Köhnke Julija E. , Mialkowskyj Damian L. , Hendrixson Vaiva 
Published: January 2025

Physical activity offers numerous health benefits, inclu­ding improved brain function, weight management, dise­ase prevention, and enhanced muscle and bone strength. This study aimed to explore the link between exercise intensity and myokine concentrations, specifically Brain- Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Irisin, in young individuals. Fifteen participants performed both low- and high-intensity exercises, with blood samples taken before and after exercise for analysis using ELISA. While no significant difference in myokine levels or exer­cise intensity was observed, a strong positive correlation between total exercise and BDNF/Irisin concentrations was found, suggesting greater benefits from high-inten­sity exercise. Interestingly, a correlation between BDNF and Irisin themselves was found as well as their corre­lation with fat mass. These findings may have important implications for clinical practices related to metabolic health and cognitive function, though further research with larger sample sizes and varied testing conditions is recommended.

Introduction. Engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physi­cal activity provides considerable health benefits. Du­ring exercise small proteins – myokines – are produced and released by striated skeletal muscle cells and have diverse functions, including anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of metabolism, and modulation of muscle growth and repair.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether a link can be found between the concentration of myokines and exercise intensity in young individuals. The objectives were to determine if myokine levels increase following low- and high-intensity exercise at two different time points: 1-hour and 24-hours post-exercise; to investigate potential differences in myokine levels between low- and high-intensity exercises, aiming to provide insights into the type of exercise that most significantly raises myokine concentration; and to explore the interrelation (cross-talk) between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Irisin levels in response to physical exercise.

Material and Methods. Fifteen young adult volunteers were investigated. They were required to engage in exer­cises of both low- and high-intensity levels. Blood sam­ples were taken before and after exercise, then centrifu­ged and subsequently analyzed using ELISA. Efforts to comprehend the link between BDNF, Irisin, and exercise offer potential for devising tailored interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive function and metabolic health through physical activity.

The results showed no statistical difference between myo­kine secretion and the intensity of exercises. Also, no increase of myokine levels after exercising was obser­ved. However, a strong positive correlation was obser­ved between the myokine concentration of total exer­cise (low- and high-intensity exercise) for BDNF and Irisin and subjective perception of high-intensity exer­cise showing a possible higher benefit in high-intensity exercise. Interestingly, a correlation between BDNF and Irisin themselves was found as well as their correlation with fat mass.

Conclusions. The findings from this research could signi­ficantly influence clinical practice, especially in mana­ging conditions associated with fat mass and metabolism, as well as cognitive functions. Further research involving larger test groups and varied blood sample collection ti­mes would be advantageous.