# Exploring SPARC over Other Exerkines/Myokines: A Strategic Approach Towards Novel Exercise-Mimicking Therapies

**Authors:** Abdelaziz Ghanemi, Mayumi Yoshioka, Roseane de Fátima Guimarães, Jonny St-Amand

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines14020302 · Biomedicines · 2026-01-29

## TL;DR

This paper argues that SPARC is a promising myokine for developing exercise-mimicking therapies and advancing biomedical research.

## Contribution

The paper highlights SPARC as a leading candidate myokine/exerkine for therapeutic development and mechanistic studies.

## Key findings

- SPARC is presented as a key myokine for exploring exercise-induced genes and proteins.
- The paper suggests SPARC could improve therapies and mechanisms related to exercise benefits.
- SPARC may enhance biomedical research and population health outcomes.

## Abstract

Identifying novel therapeutic targets for diseases and health conditions represents an important step towards new therapies. Functional genomics and proteomics represent promising tools in identifying such pharmacological targets. Within this context, numerous biomolecules have been characterized as exercise-induced (exerkines) in muscles (myokines). In this article, we present illustrative examples of why secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) would be a “leading candidate” myokine/exerkine for exploring exercise-induced genes/proteins to develop therapies, clarify mechanisms, and improve various aspects of biomedical research, including population health.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** SPARC (secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich) [NCBI Gene 6678]

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** INS (insulin) [NCBI Gene 3630] {aka IDDM, IDDM1, IDDM2, ILPR, IRDN, MODY10}, FGF21 (fibroblast growth factor 21) [NCBI Gene 26291], BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) [NCBI Gene 627] {aka ANON2, BULN2}, FNDC5 (fibronectin type III domain containing 5) [NCBI Gene 252995] {aka FRCP2, irisin}, LEP (leptin) [NCBI Gene 3952] {aka LEPD, OB, OBS}, SPARC (secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich) [NCBI Gene 6678] {aka BM-40, OI17, ON, ONT}, APLN (apelin) [NCBI Gene 8862] {aka APEL, XNPEP2}, EPO (erythropoietin) [NCBI Gene 2056] {aka DBAL, ECYT5, EP, MVCD2}
- **Diseases:** sarcopenia (MESH:D055948), muscle atrophy (MESH:D009133), inflammation (MESH:D007249), injury to (MESH:D014947), neurodegeneration (MESH:D019636), fibrosis (MESH:D005355), cancer (MESH:D009369), calcification (MESH:D002114), COVID-19 (MESH:D000086382), tumorigenesis (MESH:D063646), osteopenia (MESH:D001851), adiposity (MESH:D018205), obesity (MESH:D009765), metabolic disorders (MESH:D008659)
- **Chemicals:** exerkines (-), glucose (MESH:D005947), calcium (MESH:D002118)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

_Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12937748/full.md

## References

56 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12937748/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12937748