Exercise-induced irisin ameliorates cognitive impairment following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion by suppressing neuroinflammation and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis

作者：Weiping Xiao, Yibing Yang, Bai Lu, Peixuan Yang, Runze Li, Daizhi Yang, Fanying Li, Lingzhi Quan, Qiupeng Liang, Yan Yan, Tiewei Qi, Liang Feng · 发表于：Journal of Neuroinflammation · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s12974-025-03493-5 · 被引用次数：17 · 研究领域：Adipose Tissue and Metabolism、Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments、Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research

BACKGROUND: Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is a pathophysiological hallmark of vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia. CCH exerts complex and subtle detrimental effects on both the brain and peripheral systems. Irisin is a polypeptide primarily expressed in contracting skeletal muscle and the brain. However, its role in CCH remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CCH on irisin metabolism and whether increasing endogenous irisin levels through forced aerobic exercise (FAE) could confer neuroprotection against secondary brain injury induced by CCH. METHODS: A total of 212 adult (8-week-old) male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to either sham or CCH groups. CCH was induced by bilateral common carotid artery stenosis. FAE consisted of daily swimming (1 h/day, 5 days/week, for 5 weeks). Two subgroups of CCH mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of either DMSO or cilengitide trifluoroacetate (CT), a selective inhibitor of integrin αV and β5 (the irisin receptor), during FAE. ELISA and western blotting were used to assess irisin expression, while western blotting, TUNEL, immunofluorescence staining, and neurobehavioral tests were conducted to evaluate neurofunctional outcomes. RESULTS: Hippocampal and serum irisin levels were progressively reduced in CCH mice. Additionally, expression of integrins αV and β5 in hippocampal neurons, microglia, and astrocytes decreased post-CCH. FAE effectively enhanced both peripheral and ...