Irisin injection mimics exercise effects on the brain proteome

Physical inactivity can endanger human health and increase the incidence of neurodegenerative disease. Exercise has tremendous beneficial effects on brain health and cognitive function, especially in older adults. It also improves brain‐related outcomes in depression, epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Irisin is a mediator of the beneficial effects of exercise. This study aimed to assess the proteome alterations in adult male National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI) mice brain tissue upon three different conditions including endurance exercise, resistance exercise and irisin injection. Quantification of irisin levels in blood was performed using irisin‐ELISA Kit. Quantification and identification of proteins via two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS)/MS showed the alteration of at least 21 proteins due to different treatments. Cellular pathway analysis revealed common beneficial effects of sole irisin treatment and different exercise procedures suggesting the capability of irisin injection to substitute the exercise when physical activity is not possible. The proteome profile of mouse brain tissues under the influence of either exercise or irisin injection were studied using 2DE‐MS/MS. Results indicated that similar to exercise, treatment with irisin may prevent or slow down neurological diseases by increasing metabolism and reducing oxidative stress in the brain. These findings suggest irisin as a possible alternative to exercise by inducing many of its beneficial effects.