Multifaceted roles of adiponectin in rheumatoid arthritis

• Adiponectin is an adipokine with multifaceted and potentially contradicting functions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
• This review links adiponectin to either anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory action in RA.
• The results of this review may provide important insight into adiponectin in the development of RA.

Adiponectin is a circulating hormone with pleiotropic functions in lipid and glucose metabolism secreted by adipocytes. It plays a beneficial role in cardiovascular functions and metabolic complications. Recently, growing researches have elucidated that increased adiponectin plasma levels correlate with severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and it is speculative that adiponectin may link to RA. The association of adiponectin with potential inflammatory functions in RA has raised significant interests in exploring this adipokine as a target for RA-diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Despite significant advances in understanding adiponectin functions and signaling mechanisms, its roles in RA remain multifaceted and subject to controversy. This review highlights the evidences linking adiponectin to either anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory action in RA. The results of this review may provide important insight into adiponectin in the development of RA.