Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects not only kidney function but also bone metabolism, creating a complex network of hormonal and mineral imbalances. These changes can lead to chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), a condition associated with bone abnormalities, vascular calcification and increased cardiovascular risk.
Researchers studying CKD, metabolic disorders, or assessing the impact of experimental therapies on kidney function need reliable ways to monitor these changes - and circulating kidney and bone biomarkers provides that insight.
Circulating biomarkers offers a practical alternative to bone biopsy in both laboratory and translational research. At Oxford BioSystems, we provide a range of ELISA assays and diagnostic reagents to support UK and Irish laboratories in exploring renal function, endocrine signalling and bone metabolism.
Kidney Biomarkers for CKD Research and Renal Function
Cystatin C: Cystatin C is a low-molecular-weight protein filtered by the glomerulus and less influenced by muscle mass than creatinine. It is measured as a marker of glomerular filtration, helping researchers evaluate kidney function and early impairment. Oxford BioSystems supplies Cystatin C assays and reagents from BioVendor and Kamiya Biomedical for research applications in renal physiology and systemic disease.
FGF-23 Biomarker in CKD and Bone Metabolism
Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), produced by osteocytes and osteoblasts, regulates phosphate and vitamin D metabolism through actions on the kidney. Elevated FGF-23 in CKD is associated with disturbances in mineral metabolism and cardiovascular complications. Oxford BioSystems supplies FGF-23 ELISA assays from Biomedica and BioVendor.
Renin and Aldosterone Biomarkers
The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) regulates blood pressure, kidney function and mineral metabolism. Measuring renin and aldosterone provides insight into renal and endocrine regulation. Oxford BioSystems offers Active Renin and Aldosterone ELISA kits from Tecan IBL for studies of RAAS activity and renal physiology.
ELISA kits for the measurement of Angiotensin I, Angiotensinogen and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) are also available.
Kidney Biomarkers in Drug Development
Kidney biomarkers are used in pharmaceutical and biotech research to monitor potential renal effects of investigational therapies. At Oxford BioSystems, we supply assays to researchers measuring biomarkers to:
- Identify early drug-induced nephrotoxicity
- Monitor renal safety during preclinical and clinical studies
- Assess off-target effects on glomerular filtration and endocrine pathways
Bone Metabolism Biomarkers
Markers of bone turnover are often measured alongside kidney biomarkers in CKD-MBD research, including:
- PINP - bone formation
- CTX - bone resorption
- TRAP-5B - osteoclast activity
- Sclerostin and DKK-1 - Wnt signalling regulators
- Osteocalcin - bone matrix protein
Read more in our article on bone metabolism biomarkers for UK and Irish laboratories.
Supporting UK and Irish Research Laboratories
Oxford BioSystems supplies a broad portfolio of ELISA kits, assays and reagents from innovative global manufacturers, supporting academic, translational, pharmaceutical and CRO research. Our range of kidney and bone biomarkers enables laboratories to investigate renal function, hypertension, endocrine signalling and skeletal metabolism across diverse research applications.
Get in touch to discover more >