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World J Orthop. Jul 18, 2014; 5(3): 319-327
Published online Jul 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i3.319
Adipokines: Biomarkers for osteoarthritis?
Thitiya Poonpet, Sittisak Honsawek
Thitiya Poonpet, Sittisak Honsawek, Department of Biochemistry and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Author contributions: Poonpet T and Honsawek S equally contributed to this paper.
Supported by Post-Doctoral Fellowship Research Grant from Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund; Chulalongkorn University, Ratchadapiseksompotch Fund; Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand Research Fund; and the Commission of Higher Education
Correspondence to: Sittisak Honsawek, MD, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Rama IV road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. sittisak.h@chula.ac.th
Telephone: +66-1-22564482 Fax: +66-1-22564482
Received: December 15, 2013
Revised: January 21, 2014
Accepted: April 3, 2014
Published online: July 18, 2014
Processing time: 216 Days and 2.6 Hours
Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases in aging population. Obesity is an important risk factor for initiation and progression of OA. It is accepted that excess body weight may lead to cartilage degeneration by increasing the mechanical forces across weight-bearing joints. However, emerging data suggest that additional metabolic factors released mainly by white adipose tissue may also be responsible for the high prevalence of OA among obese people. Adipocyte-derived molecules ‘‘adipokines’’ have prompt much interest in OA pathophysiological research over the past decade since they play an important role in cartilage and bone homeostasis. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the role of adipokines including leptin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin in OA and their potential to be used as biomarkers for earlier diagnosis, classifying disease severity, monitoring disease progression, and testing pharmacological interventions for OA. In OA patients, leptin, visfatin and resistin showed increased production whereas adiponectin showed decreased production. Leptin and adiponectin are far more studied than visfatin and resistin. Importantly, altered adipokine levels also contribute to a wide range of diseases. Further experiments are still crucial for understanding the relationship between adipokines and OA.

Keywords: Osteoarthritis; Adipokines; Biomarker; Obesity; Adipose tissue

Core tip: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases in aging population. Obesity is an important risk factor for initiation and progression of OA. Adipokines have prompt much interest in OA pathophysiological research over the past decade since they play an important role in cartilage and bone homeostasis. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the role of adipokines including leptin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin in OA and their potential to be used as biomarkers for earlier diagnosis, classifying disease severity, monitoring disease progression, and testing pharmacological interventions for OA.