Leptin acts as a pro-inflammatory adipokine with a catabolic role on cartilage metabolism via the upregulation of proteolytic enzymes and acts synergistically with other pro-inflammatory stimuli.
This suggests that the infrapatellar fat pad and other WAT in arthritic joints are local producers of leptin, which may contribute to the inflammatory and degenerative processes in cartilage catabolism, providing a mechanistic link between obesity and osteoarthritis.
2012-02-08
Eng.
Annals of the rheumatic diseases
Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
Ann Rheum Dis. 2012 Mar;71(3):455-62
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