Circulating Levels of Visfatin and Apelin As Biomarkers in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Publisher



Rahmati S^{1, 2} ; Sadeghi S³ ; Mahalleh M^{1, 4} ; Behnoush AH^{1, 4} ; Pourgholi M⁵ ; Hosseini K¹ ; Moosazadeh M⁶
Source: International Urology and Nephrology Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Visfatin and apelin are adipocytokines, with visfatin linked to vascular dysfunction and apelin involved in renal homeostasis. This systematic review and meta-analysis explored the serum/plasma levels of these adipocytokines in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients versus healthy controls. Method: Relevant databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, were searched up to August 2024, and studies reporting visfatin and apelin concentrations in CKD and controls were retrieved for data synthesis. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for comparison of visfatin and apelin levels in CKD subjects vs. controls. Results: Out of the 564 studies screened, 14 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, encompassing a collective sample of 1,377 CKD subjects. The CKD group’s mean age was 49.51 years (53.50% male), and the control group’s mean age was 48.87 years (49.38% male). The meta-analysis indicated a trend of elevated visfatin levels in the CKD group compared to controls (SMD 1.53; 95% CI 0.88–2.19; p < 0.01; I2 = 96%). Moreover, visfatin levels were consistently elevated across all stages of CKD when compared to controls. There were no notable variations in apelin levels between CKD subjects and those in the control group (SMD 0.07; 95% CI, – 0.45 to 0.59; p = 0.80; I2 = 77%). Conclusion: Our findings suggest visfatin could be a potential biomarker for CKD, potentially reflecting disease severity; however, apelin levels were not different in CKD and controls. These results may aid in the earlier diagnosis of CKD but need validation through larger, well-structured studies. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025.