• α-Ketoglutarate (α-KG) is a critical metabolic intermediate that regulates bone metabolism by promoting osteogenesis, inhibiting osteoclast differentiation, and enhancing chondrocyte proliferation.
• α-KG maintains the dynamic balance between bone formation and resorption, offering therapeutic potential for osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and bone tumors.
• α-KG alleviates bone loss and inflammation in bone tissue, suggesting its role as a promising target for bone-related disease treatment.
• The review clarifies the regulatory effects of α-KG on various bone and joint cells, providing a foundation for future clinical applications.