Irisin Mitigates Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Caco-2 Colon Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study

Irisin is a myokine secreted by muscle tissue, recognized for its regulatory effects on inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory role of irisin in colon cancer by evaluating its effects on the Caco-2 cell line. Specifically, we assessed pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α), apoptotic marker Caspase-3 activity, and changes in the NF-κB signaling pathway using ELISA assays. Our results demonstrated a significant increase in IL-6 levels in the 100 nM irisin-treated group compared to controls (p < 0.05), and Caspase-3 activity significantly differed between the 10 nM and 100 nM irisin groups (p < 0.05). While direct antiproliferative effects of irisin on Caco-2 cells were not evident in cytotoxicity analyses, a significant increase in Caspase-3 activity suggested activation of apoptotic pathways. Additionally, the upregulation of NF-κB signaling—typically associated with cancer progression through inhibition of apoptosis—was observed following irisin treatment. In conclusion, these findings suggest that irisin modulates inflammatory and apoptotic responses in colon cancer cells, rather than exerting direct cytotoxic effects. Irisin's regulatory influence on the tumor microenvironment may offer potential therapeutic benefits in oncology. Further preclinical and clinical investigations are warranted to fully elucidate irisin’s role in cancer treatment.