《生命科学》 2026, 38(5): 878-890
脂肪细胞因子在骨骼肌萎缩中的作用与机制
摘 要：
骨骼肌萎缩是蛋白质合成与分解失衡所引发的状态，表现为骨骼肌质量降低、力量减弱以及机体功能障碍，与衰老、神经损伤、慢性炎症、癌症恶病质和肥胖等多种因素密切相关。脂肪细胞因子（adipokines）是一类主要由脂肪组织分泌的生物活性物质，在骨骼肌萎缩的发生、发展及治疗中起着重要作用。在骨骼肌萎缩状态下，脂肪细胞因子通过与自身受体结合激活多种信号转导途径，引起细胞增殖与凋亡失调和促炎及抗炎因子分泌紊乱，影响骨骼肌的能量代谢、炎症反应和胰岛素敏感性，进一步导致骨骼肌质量和力量的下降。由于骨骼肌萎缩病理机制极为复杂且尚未完全阐明，探索其潜在治疗靶点对防治该疾病尤为重要。本文综述了肿瘤坏死因子-α（tumor necrosis factor-α，TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（interleukin-6，IL-6）、抵抗素、瘦素和脂联素(adiponectin, ADN)等脂肪细胞因子的生物学特性以及在骨骼肌萎缩中的作用与机制，有助于探究脂肪细胞因子作为该类疾病潜在干预靶点的应用前景，以期为骨骼肌萎缩等疾病的防治提供理论参考。
通讯作者：朱 琳 , Email:11251@gzsport.edu.cn 刘晓光 , Email:liuxg@gzsport.edu.cn
Abstract:
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.
Communication Author：ZHU Lin , Email:11251@gzsport.edu.cn LIU Xiao-Guang , Email:liuxg@gzsport.edu.cn
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