What does the research say about serum cystatin C?

Serum cystatin C

There are 6 papers on serum cystatin C in aging research: 5 observational studies in people, 1 in animals. The newest story, Nov 2, 2026: “No added kidney injury seen in aging castrated rats given estrogen”.

Biomarker

6 papers study it81 more mention it4 findings

1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 87 papers on serum cystatin C

“The level of cystatin C was significantly elevated in diabetic patients as compared to healthy individuals.”

A Comparative Study between Serum Cystatin C and Microalbuminuria in the Diagnosis of Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes MellitusAnnals of African medicine2026doi:10.4103/aam.aam_457_25

Humans5
Animals1

Interventions

Panax japonicus saponins

downin rats1

1 study

Panax japonicus saponins decrease serum cystatin C in rats (SPJ-H (high-dose) group compared with 24-month group).
“Compared with those in the 24-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in the SPJ-H group were significantly decreased.”
AnimalsSPJ-H (high-dose) group compared with 24-month grouptotal saponins
Saponins from Panax japonicus ameliorate age-related renal fibrosis by inhibition of inflammation mediated by NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad signaling and suppression of oxidative stress via activation of Nrf2-ARE signaling
Journal of ginseng researchSep 9, 2020

Associations

Renal impairment

upin humans1

1 study

Serum cystatin C predicts renal impairment in humans (Diagnostic discrimination in diabetic patients) (AUC 0.881 (95% CI 0.832–0.930); sensitivity 80.83%; specificity 86.67%).
“Receiver operating characteristic analysis of cystatin C showed an area under the curve of 0.881 (95% confidence interval, 0.832-0.930)”
HumansDiagnostic discrimination in diabetic patients
A Comparative Study between Serum Cystatin C and Microalbuminuria in the Diagnosis of Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Annals of African medicineJan 29, 2026

Latest

14 papers in 12 months

Annals of African MedicineFeb 2

A Comparative Study between Serum Cystatin C and Microalbuminuria in the Diagnosis of Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cross-sectional study in peopleMicroalbuminuria

Paper

BMC GeriatricsSep 25

Diagnostic performance of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and sarcopenia index (SI) in sarcopenia and their prognostic value for clinical outcomes in hospitalized older patients

Cohort study of 307 peopleSarcopenia index

Paper

Annual Report of The Tohoku Section of Japanese Physical Therapy AssociationOct 11

Association of the Sarcopenia Index and walking speed in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty

Cohort study of 50 peopleSarcopenia index

Paper

Research SquareAug 26

Serum Cystatin C and Respiratory Functional Decline Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Preprint: cohort study of 6,612 peopleCystatin C

Paper

Medicine and Science in Sports and ExerciseJul 2

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Age-Related Decline in Kidney Function among Individuals with Preserved Kidney Health: The Aging Kidney Study

Cohort study of 198 peopleKidney

Paper

Journal of Applied PhysiologyMay 19

No added kidney injury seen in aging castrated rats given estrogen

An experiment in aging male rats, with 10 per group, suggested no increased kidney injury after 38–44 weeks of hormone exposure; kidney function remained unclear.An experiment in aging male rats, with 10 per group, suggested no increased kidney injury after 38–44 weeks of hormone exposure; kidney function remained unclear.

Rat studyKidney disease