Abstract

Irisin, a myokine induced by exercise, is a key regulator of metabolic processes and cardiovascular health, has emerged as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease. However, the global research landscape on this topic has not been systematically mapped. The aim of the study to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of irisin-related cardiovascular research published between 2012 and 2025. Publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection were analysed using VOSviewer. Annual output, country- and institution-level productivity, co-authorship patterns, document citations, and author keyword co-occurrence were assessed. Annual output revealed a three-phase trajectory: rapid emergence (2012–2015), steady expansion (2016–2021), and recent volatility without contraction (2022–2025). China was the most prolific contributor (194 publications), followed by the United States (55), Türkiye (40) and Italy (34). Fırat University (Türkiye) and Southwest Medical University (China) were the most productive institutions, while Harvard University (USA) achieved the highest citation impact. Co-authorship analyses showed China and the United States as global anchors, though collaboration remained regionally clustered. Highly cited works by Pedersen (2012), Park (2013), and Perakakis (2017) served as conceptual anchors, with subsequent studies by Jedrychowski, Polyzos, Xiong, and Zhu consolidating the knowledge base. Keyword co-occurrence analysis positioned irisin as a central hub linking exercise physiology, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular pathology, while overlay visualization showed a thematic shift from early mechanistic studies to cardiometabolic diseases and, most recently, cell-death pathways (pyroptosis, autophagy) and specialized clinical populations. In conclusion, irisin-related cardiovascular research has grown rapidly over the past decade, with China emerging as the dominant contributor and the United States maintaining strong collaborative reach. Thematic evolution reflects a trajectory from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications. Standardized methodologies and expanded multinational collaborations are needed to address existing gaps and advance irisin’s translational potential in cardiovascular medicine.

Key words: Bibliometric, cardiovascular, irisin, VOSviewer