Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Journal of Eexercise & Organ Cross Talk

Skeletal muscle stretching as a mechanotransductive trigger for myokine release: A narrative review

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

Hossein Shirvani 1
Maryam Naghibzadeh 2
Seyed Ebrahim Hashemi 1

1 Exercise Physiology Research Center, Life style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Sports Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22122/jeoct.2025.532507.1161
Abstract
Skeletal muscle functions as an endocrine organ by releasing myokines—cytokines and peptides that mediate systemic physiological adaptations. This review synthesizes evidence establishing mechanical stretching (active/passive) as a potent mechanotransductive stimulus for myokine secretion. Key pathways include integrin-mediated signaling, stretch-activated ion channels (Piezo/TRP), and mechanosensitive transcriptional regulators (YAP/TAZ), which activate MAPK, calcium-dependent kinases, and other cascades to modulate myokine gene expression. We highlight stretch-responsive myokines (IL-6, irisin, myostatin, BDNF, SPARC) and their roles in metabolism, tissue repair, and inflammation. Clinical implications for aging, metabolic disease, and rehabilitation are discussed, emphasizing how targeted stretching protocols may harness myokine-mediated benefits in mobility-limited populations. Future research directions include optimizing stretch "dosing" and elucidating tissue-specific myokine actions.

What is already known on this subject?

Skeletal muscle functions not only as a force generator but also as an endocrine organ that secretes myokines – signaling cytokines and peptides released by muscle fibers.

 

What this study adds?

skeletal muscle stretching – whether active or passive – is a potent mechanotransductive trigger that can lead to the expression and secretion of key myokines.

Keywords

Mechanotransduction
Skeletal muscle stretch
Myokines
IL-6
Irisin
Myostatin
Integrin signaling

Subjects

Acknowledgements

None.

Funding

No sources of funding were sought or awarded for this study.

Data availability

Review article.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval Not applicable.

Informed consent Not applicable.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: H.Sh.,; Methodology: S.E.H.; Software: None.; Validation: M.N., ;Formal analysis: None.; Investigation: S.E.H.; Resources: H.Sh.; Data curation: None.; Writing - original draft: M.N.,; Writing–review & editing: H.Sh.; Visualization: M.N.; Supervision: S.H.E.; Project administration: H.Sh.; Funding acquisition: S.H.E.

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Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Volume 5, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 40-45

  • Receive Date 04 January 2025
  • Revise Date 07 March 2025
  • Accept Date 07 March 2025

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