ADIPOCYTOKINES IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: LATENT RELATIONASHIP BETWEEN INFLAMMATION AND CARDIOMETABOLIC COMORBIDITIES

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the synovial membrane of the joints and leads to progressive articular damage, disability and reduced quality of life. Despite the emergence of more innovative therapeutic strategies that have improved the duration of remission, rheumatoid arthritis is associated with high levels of comorbidities, infections, malignancies and cardiovascular disease. It is known that some pathogenic proinflammatory mediators in rheumatoid arthritis, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor, may play a central role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Interestingly, various preclinical and clinical studies have shown that biologic agents, who are widely used in the therapy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, may be effective in the therapy of cardiovascular diseases as well. For this purpose we have studied adipocytokines. Adipocytokines are pleiotropic molecules that are mainly released by white adipose tissue and immune cells. Adipocytokines modulate the function of different tissues and cells, and, in addition to energy homeostasis and metabolism, enhance inflammation, immune response and tissue damage. Adipocytokines may contribute to the proinflammatory conditions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the development of bone damage. In addition, they may be associated with the development of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we considered the already known evidence about adipocytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, because they are also actively involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and are possible biomarkers of prognosis and treatment outcomes, because of their potential, as a possible new therapeutic target.