Acute and chronic responses to exercise training-induced irisin in browning of white fat

Nowadays, is well established that the benefits induced by exercise training (ET) affects not only skeletal muscle, but also other non-contractile organs over time. One potential mechanism underlying this crosstalk is the synthesis and secretion of several biological active factors, such as irisin, by muscle contractile activity. This hormone has been described to be able to induce a brown adipocyte-like phenotype in white adipose (WAT), increase whole-body metabolic rate, and therefore prevent and/or treat obesity-related metabolic diseases. Thus, the modulatory impact of ET on WAT may also occur through skeletal muscle - adipose organ axis. In this review, we summarize the acute and chronic adaptations to ET-induced irisin synthesis and secretion on the development of browning of white fat and, thus, providing an overview of the potential preventive and therapeutic role of ET on the obesity-related underlying pathways.