Osteoarthritis, obesity, and inflammation
Keywords:
Osteoarthritis, obesity, inflammation, adipokinesAbstract
Obesity is a yield point in onset for osteoarthritis. However, in spite of its straight effect on
weight-bearing joints, it is not likely enough to justify osteoarthritis by itself. Recent evidence
has demonstrated some correlationship among obesity and osteoarthritis in hands, no easy to
explain by weight-bearing. It is realized that metabolic factors parallel to obesity may influ-
ence on osteoarthritis. White fat tissue is an active producer of adipokines, which are proteins
involved in active communication between adipocites and immunologic cells, evolving into
an inflammatory articular response. New adipokines are currently under study besides those
well documented such as leptine, adiponectine and resistine. An important role is played by
adipokine proteins in other metabolic and cardiovascular complications, correlated to obesity,
osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases. Present paper intends to enhance comprehension of
osteoarthritis and its relationship to obesity and in particular with the study of adipokines.
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