Potential time-sensitive biomarkers for the detection of acute mesenteric ischaemia: a systematic review of animal data

Background Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is difficult to recognize and is often diagnosed late. Currently there are no established biomarkers that can assist in diagnosis or management. The present study was a systematic review of animal data, intended to identify potentially time-sensitive biomarkers for human AMI.Methods A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to 10/02/25. Studies assessing potential biomarkers of AMI in mammalian models, with timed responses from the onset of experimental ischemia were selected. Data quality was assessed using CAMARADES, and PRISMA guidelines were followed.Results Searches identified 2175 publications from which 342 were selected for full text review, and 61 papers describing 103 experiments on 53 potential biomarkers were analyzed. The models were very heterogeneous and a meaningful meta-analysis was not possible for any biomarker. However, a pragmatic list of biomarkers of potential value in AMI that could warrant investigation in humans has been formulated. Those proposed are D-lactate, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, ischaemia-modified albumin, and signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1.Conclusions No single biomarker has provided unambiguous evidence to promote its use in clinical practice, but several may deserve further evaluation in future human studies.Study funding: Estonian Research Council, Grant PRG 1255.Study registration: PROSPERO CRD42023400888 (reference 400888).