Study of the Relationship between Muscle strength and Serum Levels of Irisin, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Myostatin, and Follistatin in Inactive Men and Women Following 12 Weeks of Strength Training

Background: Given the secretion of myokines from muscle tissue during exercise and their relationship with muscle strength development, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between muscle strength and serum levels of irisin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, myostatin and follistatin in inactive men and women following 12 weeks of strength training.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 10 women (age: 37.66.09years, weight: 80.520.76kg) and 20 men (age: 39.66.05years, weight: 84.895.67 kg) voluntarily participated.The subjects performed 12 weeks of strength training, 3 sessions per week, with an intensity of 65 to 80% of maximum strength.Blood samples were taken for measurement of irisin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, myostatin, and follistatin by ELISA. Results:Strength training significantly increased serum irisin, serum BDNF, follistatin and significantly decreased myostatin and fat percentage in both male and female groups (p0.05).There was also a positive and significant relationship between lower body strength and irisin in women (p=0.040) and upper body strength in women and BDNF (p=0.038).The results in the male group showed a significant and positive relationship between serum irisin levels with upper and lower body strength and follistatin with lower body strength (p0.05). Conclusion:According to the results of the study, strength training in inactive individuals reduces serum levels of myostatin , increases secretion and serum levels of irisin, BDNF, follistatin, and increases muscle strength.