Myokines, physical activity, insulin resistance and autoimmune diseases

•More than one hundred myokines have been identified, and among them are IL6, myostatin, irisin, mionectin and decorin.•Some myokines, including irisin, are responsible for many autoimmune diseases.•Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease are myokin-related.•Myokines by mean of their antiinflammatory effects can counteract the induction of insulin resistance and the loss of muscle mass.