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Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases in aging population. Obesity is an important risk factor for initiation and progression of OA. It is accepted that excess body weight may lead to cartilage degeneration by increasing the mechanical forces across weight-bearing joints. However, emerging data suggest that additional metabolic factors released mainly by white adipose tissue may also be responsible for the high prevalence of OA among obese people. Adipocyte-derived molecules ‘‘adipokines’’have prompt much interest in OA pathophysiological research over the past decade since they play an important role in cartilage and bone homeostasis. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the role of adipokines including leptin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin in OA and their potential to be used as biomarkers for earlier diagnosis, classifying disease …