Metabolism-Related Adipokines and Metabolic Diseases: Their Role in Osteoarthritis

Qian Zhang,1,* Yi Xuan Zhao,1,* Long Fei Li,2 Qian Qian Fan,3 Bin Bin Huang,1 Hong Zhen Du,1 Chen Li,3 Wei Li3 1School of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 2Cerebrovascular Disease Ward, The First People’s Hospital of Ping Ding Shan, Pingdingshan, Henan, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wei Li; Chen Li, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Binzhou Medical University Hospital, No. 661 huanghe 2nd Road, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Osteoarthritis (OA) affects several joints but tends to be more prevalent in those that are weight-bearing, such as the knees, which are the most heavily loaded joints in the body. The incidence and disability rates of OA have continued to increase and seriously jeopardise the quality of life of middle-aged and older adults. However, OA is more than just a wear and tear disease; its aetiology is complex, and its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has emerged as a critical driver of OA development. This condition contributes to the formation of a distinct phenotype, termed metabolic syndrome-associated osteoarthritis (MetS-OA),which differs from other metabolically related diseases by its unique pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical presentation. As key mediators of MetS, metabolic adipokines such as leptin, lipocalin, and resistin regulate inflammation and bone metabolism through distinct or synergistic signaling pathways. Their modulation of inflammatory responses and bone remodeling processes plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of OA. Due to their central role in regulating inflammation and bone remodeling, metabolic adipokines not only deepen our understanding of MetS-OA pathogenesis but also represent promising targets for novel therapeutic strategies that could slow disease progression and improve clinical outcomes in affected patients.Keywords: osteoarthritis, metabolic syndrome, adipokines