Abstract: After leptin and adiponectin, C1q tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related proteins (CTRPs) are a newly discovered protein superfamily secreted in adipose tissue, which has been proven to be powerful biological functions so far. There are many broad effects on metabolism and inflammation, which were found in multiple organizational types. Among them, the factor studied most-frequently, C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 3 (CTRP3), has been gradually explored for the important role in metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases and inflammation. This review will focus on discovery, biological function and current clinical research of CTRP3.