The role and mechanisms of adipokines in skeletal muscle atrophy

<?A3B2 tlsb=-.01w?>Skeletal muscle atrophy is a pathological condition triggered by an imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation. It is characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mass, impaired muscle strength, and compromised bodily function, and is closely associated with multiple factors such as aging, nerve injury, chronic inflammation, cancer cachexia, and obesity. With the global aging population and the increasing incidence of chronic diseases, skeletal muscle atrophy has become a major public health concern that severely impairs patients’quality of life and imposes a heavy burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Adipokines are bioactive substances mainly secreted by adipose tissue, which also serve as important endocrine organs involved in regulating various physiological and pathological processes of the body. These molecules play a crucial role in the occurrence, progression, and treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy, acting as key mediators in the crosstalk between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Under the state of skeletal muscle atrophy, adipokines bind to their respective receptors to activate a variety of signal transduction pathways. This activation leads to dysregulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as disordered secretion of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors. Such abnormalities further affect the energy metabolism of skeletal muscle, alter the inflammatory response in muscle tissue, and reduce insulin sensitivity of muscle cells, all of which ultimately contribute to the progressive decrease in skeletal muscle mass and strength. Despite extensive research efforts in recent years, the pathological mechanisms of skeletal muscle atrophy remain extremely complex and have not been fully elucidated. The lack of in-depth understanding of these mechanisms has resulted in a scarcity of effective clinical interventions and therapeutic strategies for this condition. Therefore, exploring potential therapeutic targets is particularly important for the prevention and treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. This article reviews the biological characteristics of several key adipokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, resistin, leptin, and adiponectin. It also elaborates on their specific roles and underlying mechanisms in skeletal muscle atrophy, focusing on how each adipokine modulates muscle protein metabolism, inflammatory responses, and energy homeostasis through distinct signaling cascades. The comprehensive analysis provided in this review helps to explore the application prospects of adipokines as potential intervention targets for skeletal muscle atrophy. It is expected to lay a solid theoretical foundation for the development of novel therapeutic approaches and provide valuable theoretical references for the prevention and treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy and related diseases.