Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 14, 2026 2 hours, 12 minutes ago
Medical News: Breakthrough discovery links exercise hormone to eye repair
Scientists from the Department of Ophthalmology at Wuhan University of Science and Technology and the Department of Ophthalmology at Huazhong University of Science and Technology have identified a powerful exercise-induced hormone called irisin that may help protect and repair damaged eye tissue in people with diabetes. Their findings suggest that simple physical activity could activate natural repair mechanisms in the retina and potentially reduce the risk of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy.
Exercise releases irisin, a hormone that may protect and repair retinal damage caused by diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes and occurs when high blood sugar damages delicate blood vessels and nerve cells in the retina. Over time, this damage can lead to vision loss and permanent blindness. Alarmingly, researchers estimate that more than 22 percent of people with diabetes worldwide develop this condition, making it a major global health concern.
Irisin acts as a natural protective hormone released during exercise
Irisin is a hormone released by skeletal muscles during physical exercise. Scientists discovered that this hormone plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation, and protecting nerve cells. According to the researchers, irisin levels increase significantly after exercise such as swimming, running, or resistance training.
The study showed that irisin improves the ability of retinal cells to absorb glucose efficiently, which helps reduce harmful metabolic stress caused by diabetes. It also improves mitochondrial function, which is essential for producing energy in cells. When mitochondria function properly, retinal cells can survive longer and maintain their normal function. This
Medical News report highlights that irisin may serve as a natural biological signal that tells the body to repair and protect vulnerable tissues, including the retina.
Powerful anti-inflammatory effects help stop nerve damage in the eye
One of the most important findings is irisin’s ability to reduce neuroinflammation. In diabetic retinopathy, immune cells in the retina become overactive and release harmful inflammatory chemicals such as TNF-alpha and interleukin-1 beta. These inflammatory molecules damage retinal nerve cells and disrupt communication between neurons, accelerating vision loss.
The researchers found that irisin can block these harmful inflammatory signals by activating specific receptors called integrin alpha-V beta-5. This interaction helps calm immune cells and prevents excessive inflammation. By reducing inflammation, irisin protects nerve cells and prevents further deterioration of the retina.
Irisin protects against oxidative stress and deadly cellular damage
The study also revealed that irisin protects retinal cells from oxidative stress, a destructive process caused by excess reactive oxygen species. These harmful molecul
es damage proteins, DNA, and cell membranes. Over time, oxidative stress leads to cell death and irreversible vision loss.
Irisin helps neutralize oxidative stress by improving mitochondrial efficiency and activating protective signaling pathways such as AMPK and ERK. These pathways strengthen cellular defense systems and prevent ferroptosis, a form of cell death linked to diabetic retinal damage. By preventing ferroptosis, irisin preserves the integrity of retinal neurons and blood vessels.
Exercise triggered irisin may repair and regenerate retinal tissue
Another key finding is irisin’s ability to promote neurorepair. The hormone supports the regeneration of nerve cells and strengthens connections between retinal neurons. This helps restore proper visual signal transmission.
Researchers also observed that irisin improves blood vessel stability and prevents abnormal blood vessel growth, which is a major cause of severe diabetic retinopathy. By stabilizing both nerve cells and blood vessels, irisin helps maintain overall retinal health and function.
Conclusions
The findings strongly suggest that irisin represents a promising natural therapeutic strategy for preventing and slowing diabetic retinopathy. Unlike current treatments that focus mainly on late-stage symptoms, irisin targets early disease mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and nerve degeneration. Regular exercise may therefore serve as a simple and powerful intervention to boost irisin levels and activate the body’s own protective repair systems. Future clinical studies will be essential to confirm whether irisin-based therapies or exercise programs can effectively prevent blindness in diabetic patients and improve long-term vision outcomes.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/4/1849
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/ophthalmology-(eye-diseases)
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/glaucoma-news
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/diabetes
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