Effect of Statins on Serum Levels of TNF-alpha and Interleukin-6 in Patients with Kidney Disease: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background and Objectives Some clinical trials have indicated the beneficial effects of statins in patients with kidney disease, while others have reported no positive effect of statins in these patients. We conducted this meta-analysis to identify the effects of statins on serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with kidney disease. Designs and Methods A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify all studies published from inception to August, 2022. The major outcome variable was the Weighted Mean Difference (WMD). Eligible studies were stratified based on target population, intervention duration, dosage and type of statins, and solubility of statins. Results Meta-analysis performed on seven publications (8 studies), including 213 patients with kidney disease and 188 control individuals, indicated that the concentration of IL-6 was marginally decreased in patients with kidney disease following statin therapy disease (WMD = -1.15 pg/mL; 95% CI = -2.33 to 0.04, P = 0.05, I2 =68.5%)). The findings of subgroup analysis based on the dosage of statins showed that neither high-intensity nor moderate/low-intensity statin treatment could significantly influence the serum level of IL-6. Lipophilic statins were more effective than hydrophilic statins, and they marginally decreased the levels of IL-6 (WMD = -1.21 pg/mL; 95% CI = -2.43 to 0, P = 0.05, I2 = 55.7%)). Meta-analysis of four publications (five studies) with 157 patients with kidney disease and 132 control subjects showed that statins reduced the serum levels of TNF-alpha in patients with kidney disease when compared with control individuals (WMD= -2.66 pg/mL; 95% CI = -4.26 to -1.06, P < 0.001, I2 = 63%). Conclusion Statins only marginally decreased the concentration of IL-6 in patients with kidney disease, but neither high-intensity nor moderate/low-intensity statin treatment could significantly influence the level of IL-6. However, statins reduced serum levels of TNF-alpha in patients with kidney disease.