Abstract: Interleukin IL-6 is widely exist in inflammatory, and it is frequently viewed as a proinflammatory cytokine. IL-6 has parallel functions with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-1β in the context of inflammation. IL-6 can stimulate activation of B cell proliferation and secrete antibody, can stimulate T cell proliferation and CTL activation, can stimulate synthesis acute phase proteins of the liver cells and participate in inflammation, can promote the blood cells development. However, accumulating evidence points to a broader role of IL-6 in a variety of (patho)physiological conditions, including functions related to the resolution of inflammation. This paper reviewed recent findings on the complex biological functions governed by IL-6 signaling, focused on its role in inflammation-associated cancer and metabolic disorders such as obesity, liver metabolism, skeletal muscle metabolism and exercise. Finally, the paper outlined important areas of inquiry towards understanding this pleiotropic cytokine, which was expected to provide reference for IL-6 application in disease treatment.

Key words: IL-6, metabolism, cancer

摘要： 由于白细胞介素IL-6在炎症中广泛存在，所以其通常被视为一种促炎细胞因子，与肿瘤坏死因子TNF及IL-1β在炎症中具有同等作用。IL-6能够通过刺激活化B细胞的增殖而分泌抗体，刺激T细胞的增殖及细胞毒性T淋巴细胞（CTL）的活化，刺激肝细胞合成急性期蛋白而参与炎症反应，并能促进血细胞发育。此外，有研究指出IL-6 在多种生理条件下包括分辨炎症功能中具有更大的作用。综述了IL-6信号调控炎症相关的癌症及代谢性疾病如肥胖症、肝脏代谢、骨骼肌代谢及运动中复杂生物学功能的机理，从多方面阐述了该多效性因子的意义，以期为IL-6在疾病治疗中的应用提供参考。

关键词: IL-6, 新陈代谢, 癌症