Objective: Irisin is a myokine that is secreted by muscle tissue and is recognized for its regulatory effects on inflammation. The objective of this study was to examine the potential anti-inflammatory function of irisin in the context of colon cancer, with a focus on its effects on the Caco-2 cell line. Method: Specifically, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α), apoptotic marker Caspase-3 activity, and changes in the NF-κB signaling pathway were assessed using ELISA assays. Results: The findings of this study indicated a substantial augmentation in IL-6 levels in the 100 nM irisin-treated group in comparison to the control group ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant divergence in Caspase-3 activity was observed 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 analyses of cellular toxicity, a significant increase in Caspase-3 activity suggested activation of apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, the upregulation of NF-κB signaling, which is generally linked to cancer progression through the suppression of apoptosis, was observed following irisin treatment. Conclusion: Irisin did not exert a consistent antiproliferative effect in Caco-2 cells under the tested conditions. Instead, irisin exposure was associated with alterations in inflammatory and apoptotic markers, including increased IL-6 and NF-κB levels and modulation of caspase-3 activity. These findings suggest that irisin may act as a context-dependent regulator of inflammatory and apoptotic signaling rather than a direct anti-inflammatory or antiproliferative agent in colon cancer cells.

Belçika'da doğdu. İlkokulu Belçika'nın Anvers kentinde tamamladı. 2002 yılında Hacettepe Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi %100 İngilizce-Kimya Bölümünden mezun oldu. 2002 yılında akademik kariyerine Araştırma Görevlisi olarak Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesinde başladı. 2005 yılında Yüksek Lisansını ve 2009 yılında Doktora programını Hacettepe Üniversitesi ve Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi ortak Biyokimya programında tamamladı. 2002 yılında başladığı akademik hayatına, 2010 yılından itibaren Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Moleküler Biyoloji ve Genetik Bölümünde Öğretim Üyesi olarak devam etmektedir. 2016-2017 yılları arasında doktora sonrası araştırma yapmak için TÜBİTAK bursu ile Cleveland/Ohio Amerikada, Case Western Reserve Üniversitesinde çalışmalar yaptı. Burada yapmış olduğu çalışmalarından dolayı Uluslararası Ödüle layık görüldü. Bölüm Başkanlığı, Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri komisyon üyeliği, Fakülte kurulu üyeliği gibi idari görevlerde bulunmuştur. Avrupa Birliği Cost Aksiyon projesinde araştırma grubuna seçilerek Cost üyesi olarak görev yapmaktadır. Avrupa Birliği ajansında bağımsız dış uzman olarak uzun yıllardır görev yapmaktadır. Başta TÜBİTAK destekli olmak üzere 20 civarı projede görev almış ve tamamlamıştır. Yaklaşık 77 civarı yayını olan Prof. Dr. Birnur AKKAYA, çeşitli bilimsel ve mesleki dergilerde Editör ve hakem olarak görev almaktadır. Kanser türü hastalıkları önlemeye yönelik çalışmasından dolayı, Türk Marka ve Patent Kurumundan Patent almıştır. Bilim Kadınları Derneğinin kurucu başkanı ve hala yönetim kurulu başkanıdır. 2025 YÖK Bilim Diplomasisi üstün başarı ödülüne layık görülmüştür. Akademik akıl köşe yazarıdır. İngilizce ve Flamanca bildiği diller arasındadır. Evli ve üç erkek çocuk sahibidir.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by dysregulated host–microbiota interactions, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and aberrant immune activation. Despite advances in biologic and small-molecule therapies, a substantial proportion of patients exhibit incomplete response, loss of response, or treatment-related adverse effects, underscoring the need for novel adjunctive therapeutic approaches. The vagus nerve exerts a pivotal effects on immune homeostasis through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, thereby integrating peripheral immune sensing with central autonomic regulation. Within the context of IBD, a diminution in vagal tone has been observed to correlate with persistent mucosal inflammation and immune dysregulation. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may activate vagal circuits and modulate neuroimmune signaling without surgical intervention. This review endeavors to critically evaluate the potential efficacy of ta-VNS in the context of IBD, with particular emphasis on its discernible effects on immune, epithelial barrier, microbiota-related, and autonomic biomarkers. Emerging evidence, stemming from preliminary investigations, suggests that ta-VNS may exert an influence on inflammatory cytokine profiles, epithelial tight junction integrity, gut microbial composition, and systemic autonomic balance, warranting further elucidation. In addition, the review discusses differential responses between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, summarizes current preclinical and clinical evidence, and highlights biomarker-based strategies for evaluating therapeutic response in future randomized controlled trials. Although current evidence remains preliminary and stimulation parameters are not yet standardized, ta-VNS represents a promising adjunctive neuroimmune modulation strategy in IBD.

Recent research on exercise has introduced a new biological dimension by demonstrating that skeletal muscle functions not only as a mechanical structure but also as an endocrine organ. Myokines released from skeletal muscle during exercise play critical roles in metabolic regulation, inflammation control, nervous system function, and tissue regeneration. Consequently, growing research interest has focused on elucidating the biological and therapeutic significance of myokines. This review examines the effects of exercise-induced myokines on clinical rehabilitation and metabolic regulation, highlighting their therapeutic potential in neurological and cardiac rehabilitation as well as in the management of metabolic syndrome, while emphasizing the biological properties and functional roles of the most extensively studied myokines.

Objective: Today, it is well known that obesity plays a role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, and one of these mechanisms of action is oxidative stress. There are many studies on the formation of oxidative stress in obesity, but its effect on young adults (18-35 years old) is not fully known. Method: In this context, we investigated oxidative stress levels by measuring oxidant (MDA) and antioxidant (SOD) parameters in young adult obese and overweight individuals with ELISA method. Our hypothesis is that the oxidant parameter (MDA) is high and the antioxidant parameter (SOD) is low in young adult obese individuals due to oxidative stress. Results: According to the study results, a statistically significant difference was found in the SOD and MDA values ​​of overweight individuals (p