Irisin: An influential perspective on the protective effect of metformin on aortic and cardiac aging in rats

Aim: Irisin, a polypeptide hormone, demonstrates a protective function in metabolic diseases and has been observed to enhance endothelial functions. It regulates energy metabolism, fat tissue and glucose metabolism. The predictive value of irisin for the effects of metformin on cardiac and aortic aging in an aged rat model was evaluated by quantitative and histological confirmation. Material and Methods: A total of twenty-four rats were used in our study. The subjects were equally distributed among four intervention groups: young control group (24 months). The effect of senescence on the heart and aortic tissues, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and proliferation indicators (Ki-67, PDGFR-β, TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, TGF-β, e-NOS, and SOD-1) were evaluated with RT-PCR analyses quantitatively. Serum sampling was conducted to determine irisin levels. A histomorphological and immunhistochemical analysis of the heart and aorta sections was performed. Results: Metformin treatment altered irisin levels in young and old rats compared to controls. Irisin concentrations were higher in metformin-treated rats: 2.57 (0.39) versus 1.89 (0.16) in young rats, and 1.79 (0.31) versus 1.19 (0.22) in old rats (P [Turk J Vasc Surg 2025; 34(1.000): 61-9]