The Role of Circulating RBP4 in the Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Kidney Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#biomarkers #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #diabetic-nephropathies #glomerular-filtration-rate #humans

The Role of Circulating RBP4 in the Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Kidney Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Zhang et al., 2020 | Dis Markers | Meta Analysis

Citation

Zhang Li, Cheng Yan-Li, ... Xu Zhong-Gao. The Role of Circulating RBP4 in the Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Kidney Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Dis Markers. 2020;2020:8830471. doi:10.1155/2020/8830471

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy is a common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Although there have been many investigations on biomarkers for DN, there is no consistent conclusion about reliable biomarkers. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of circulating retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) in the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with kidney diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for publications. For the 12 cross-sectional studies that we included in the review, we calculated standard mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for continuous data when the applied scales were different. Risk of bias of included trials was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: RBP4 concentrations in the micro-, macro-, or micro+macroalbuminuria groups were significantly higher than those in the normal albuminuria group of T2DM patients [P = 0.001, SMD 1.07, 95% CI (0.41, 1.73)]. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was negatively associated with circulating RBP4 concentrations in patients with T2DM [summary Fisher's Z = -0.48, 95% CI (-0.69, -0.26), P < 0.0001]. The albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) was positively associated with circulating RBP4 concentrations in patients with T2DM [summary Fisher's Z = 0.20, 95% CI (0.08, 0.32), P = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: The levels of circulating RBP4 were significantly higher both in T2DM subjects with micro/macroalbuminuria and in T2DM subjects with declined eGFR. The levels of circulating RBP4 were positively correlated with ACR but negatively correlated with eGFR. Circulating RBP4 could be a reliable biomarker for kidney diseases in T2DM.

Key Findings

RBP4 concentrations in the micro-, macro-, or micro+macroalbuminuria groups were significantly higher than those in the normal albuminuria group of T2DM patients [P = 0.001, SMD 1.07, 95% CI (0.41, 1.73)]. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was negatively associated with circulating RBP4 concentrations in patients with T2DM [summary Fisher's Z = -0.48, 95% CI (-0.69, -0.26), P < 0.0001]. The albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) was positively associated with circulating RBP4 concentrat

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population kidney diseases
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Diabetic Nephropathies
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Humans
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09