Fig. 3.

Role of IL-6 in metabolism. A. In cardiac tissue, IL-6 can promote FAO, inhibit lipid accumulation and reduce cardiolipotoxicity. B. Hyperglycemia and obesity promote the expression of IL-6. C. In skeletal muscle, IL-6 promotes glucose uptake, lipolysis, and activation of AMPK to produce ATP. D. The pro-inflammatory effect of IL-6 leads to increased vascular permeability and plaque instability. E. IL-6 can induce synovial fibroblast-mediated osteoclast differentiation and angiogenesis. F. In liver, IL-6 induces the expression of IRS-2 on hepatocytes, thereby enhancing insulin signaling. IL-6-dependent G6Pase inhibition reduces peripheral blood glucose levels and increases liver glycogen storage. Besides, IL-6 drives the increase of SAA, CRP, FGG, HP and the decrease of Albumin. IL-6 can promote the coagulation function of liver by regulating the production of fibrinogen. G. IL-6 maintains glucose homeostasis by controlling insulin secretion through GLP-1. GLP-1: glucagon-like peptide-1; FAO: fatty acid oxidation; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; MCP-1: monocyte chemotactic protein-1; ICAM-1: intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1; C5aR: complement component 5a receptor 1; RANKL: receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor; IR: insulin receptor; IRS-2: insulin receptor substrate-2; SAA: serum amyloid A; CRP: c-reactive protein; FGG: fibrinogen gamma chain; HP: haptoglobin.