Adipokines in synovial fluid and serum from OA patients and their relative expression compared with healthy individuals. (a) Leptin levels, (b) adiponectin levels, (c) resistin levels, (d) visfatin levels, (e) chemerin levels, (f) omentin-1 levels, (g) lipocalin-2 levels, (h) vaspin levels, and (i) nesfatin-1 levels. Red lines: synovial fluid concentration in patients with OA; blue lines: serum concentration in patients with OA; black lines: serum concentrations in healthy donors; SF: synovial fluid; HD: healthy donors; ♀: female levels; ♂: male levels.

Adipokines in synovial fluid and serum from OA patients and their relative expression compared with healthy individuals. (a) Leptin levels, (b) adiponectin levels, (c) resistin levels, (d) visfatin levels, (e) chemerin levels, (f) omentin-1 levels, (g) lipocalin-2 levels, (h) vaspin levels, and (i) nesfatin-1 levels. Red lines: synovial fluid concentration in patients with OA; blue lines: serum concentration in patients with OA; black lines: serum concentrations in healthy donors; SF: synovial fluid; HD: healthy donors; ♀: female levels; ♂: male levels.

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Recent studies have shown that overweight and obesity play an important role in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). However, joint overload is not the only risk factor in this disease. For instance, the presence of OA in non-weight-bearing joints such as the hand suggests that metabolic factors may also contribute to its pathogenesis. Recently,...

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... Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two most common forms of arthritis in the United States affecting 1.3 million and 30 million people respectively [1][2][3][4]. RA is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the synovial membrane in the joints, leading to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling [5,6]. In contrast, OA is a degenerative joint disease that results from wear and tear of the joints over time, causing pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility [7][8][9]. ...
... At the site of inflammation, chemerin acts as an important chemoattractant for macrophages and dendritic cells [16]. Known chemerin receptors are G-coupled receptors inducing secretion of proinflammatory cytokines like IL (interleukin)-6 and TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α [17]. An intracellular pathway involving STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) 3 signaling has been proposed [18]. ...
... Chemerin is a well-known modulator in the innate immune system and increases the release of proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α or interleukin (IL)-6 [44] via G protein-coupled receptors [17]. Furthermore, chemerin is able to limit bacterial infection [45]. ...
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... Additionally, adipokines influence subchondral bone metabolism, promoting sclerosis or increased remodeling, both characteristic of OA, driven by an imbalance between bone formation and resorption [22,23]. They also contribute to synovial inflammation by stimulating the release of pro-inflammatory mediators from synovial cells [24]. (Figure 2). ...
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... 35 Leptin upregulates the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 via the NF-κB pathway. 36 Leptin activate nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) through the PI3K, and MAPK pathways, thereby promoting cartilage apoptosis and joint degeneration. 37 Leptin induces the production of inducible iNOS in human chondrocytes when acting synergistically with IL-1β in cartilage tissue. ...
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... It is among the major promoters of cartilage degradation by inhibiting the synthesis of collagen type II and proteoglycans with high molecular weight. Serum and synovial fluid levels of visfatin show a positive correlation with structural damage, markers indicating degradation of collagen type II and aggrecan, CRP levels and OA symptoms [54]. ...
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