We performed a systematic literature review to summarize the underlying pathogenic mechanisms by which adipokines influence rheumatological diseases and the resulting clinical manifestations. Increasing evidence display that numerous adipokines may significantly influence the development or clinical course of various rheumatological diseases. Despite the normal anti- or pro-inflammatory role of the cytokines, the serum level varies enormously in various rheumatological diseases. The expression of high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as leptin or visfatin, respectively in systemic lupus erythematosus and in rheumatoid arthritis, represents a negative prognostic factor; other adipokines such as adiponectin, broadly known for their anti-inflammatory effects, showed a correlation with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. In the near future pro-inflammatory cytokines may represent a potential therapeutic target to restrain the severity of rheumatological diseases. Further studies on adipokines may provide important information on the pathogenesis of these diseases, which are not yet fully understood. The mechanisms by which adipokines induce, worsen, or suppress inflammatory and degenerative musculoskeletal pathologies and their clinical significance will be discussed in this review.

我们进行了系统的文献综述，总结了脂肪因子影响风湿病的潜在致病机制以及由此产生的临床表现。越来越多的证据表明，多种脂肪因子可能显着影响各种风湿病的发展或临床过程。尽管细胞因子具有正常的抗炎或促炎作用，但在各种风湿病中，其血清水平差异很大。分别在系统性红斑狼疮和类风湿性关节炎中，高水平的促炎细胞因子（例如瘦素或内脏脂肪素）的表达代表了负面的预后因素。其他脂肪因子，如脂联素，因其抗炎作用而广为人知，显示出与类风湿性关节炎的疾病活动相关。在不久的将来，促炎细胞因子可能成为抑制风湿病严重程度的潜在治疗靶点。对脂肪因子的进一步研究可能会提供有关这些尚未完全了解的疾病发病机制的重要信息。本综述将讨论脂肪因子诱导、恶化或抑制炎症和退行性肌肉骨骼病理的机制及其临床意义。