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World J Diabetes. May 15, 2026; 17(5): 117237
Published online May 15, 2026. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v17.i5.117237
Published online May 15, 2026. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v17.i5.117237
Association between circulating CTRP12 levels and type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis
Lei Chen, Qiang Duan, Gang Shi, Department of Neurosurgery, The First People’s Hospital of Shizuishan, Shizuishan 753200, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Cai-Bin Gao, Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750001, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
Qing-Sheng Niu, Department of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Chen L contributed to data visualization and interpretation; Chen L, Duan Q, and Shi G contributed to data extraction, methodological assessment, and manuscript refinement; Chen L and Gao CB assisted with literature retrieval, data verification, and organization; Niu QS conceptualized the study, conducted the statistical analyses, and prepared the initial manuscript draft, oversaw the research process, provided substantive revisions, and approved the final manuscript; and all authors reviewed and endorsed the final version.
Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia, No. 2023AAC03549.
AI contribution statement: AI tools (ChatGPT4) were used solely for linguistic refinement and formatting assistance. No AI tool was involved in study design, data analysis, result interpretation or core content generation.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Qing-Sheng Niu, MD, PhD, Department of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. niu_qingsheng@163.com
Received: December 3, 2025
Revised: January 25, 2026
Accepted: March 4, 2026
Published online: May 15, 2026
Processing time: 160 Days and 7 Hours
Revised: January 25, 2026
Accepted: March 4, 2026
Published online: May 15, 2026
Processing time: 160 Days and 7 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: C1q/TNF-related protein 12 (CTRP12) is an adipokine involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. However, existing evidence regarding its association with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not yet been systematically integrated. This systematic review and meta-analysis, encompassing 13 studies with 2193 participants, evaluated circulating CTRP12 levels in patients with T2DM. Circulating CTRP12 levels were significantly reduced in individuals with T2DM. Body mass index and insulin resistance were identified as major contributors to heterogeneity. These findings suggest a potential protective role of CTRP12 in metabolic dysregulation and support its value as a biomarker in T2DM.