Background and aimsThe effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on cardiovascular-related factors have been evaluated in a number of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), with different results. Thus, in this meta-analysis, the effects of ALA on blood levels of inflammatory, lipid, and hematological markers as well as anthropometric indices in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were evaluated. MethodsFive electronic databases were used to conduct a comprehensive search through October 2023. Risk of bias assessment and data extraction were carried out separately by two reviewers on the included papers. The data were analyzed using the random-effects model in meta-analyses. The data were analyzed using the random-effects model in meta-analyses. We assessed inter-study heterogeneity with I2 and Cochran's Q test. ResultsNine of the 421 potential reports were included. Using random-effects models, no significant changes were observed in weight loss, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin (Hb), and iron (Fe) following ALA supplementation (600 mg/day). Results exhibited that ALA significantly reduced hs-CRP levels in individuals with CKD (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -2.91 mg/L, 95% CI: -4.65, -1.17, I2 = 50.5%, P = 0.09), however, there were no significant variations in levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) or malondialdehyde (MDA). Regarding lipid profiles, findings revealed that ALA administration had no significant impact on HDL-C and TG levels among patients with CKD. However, compared to the control group, TC levels were considerably lower in CKD patients (WMD = -5.48 mg/dL, 95% CI: -10.55, -0.41, I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.50). Moreover, the sensitivity analyses showed that pooled WMDs for LDL-C levels were significantly changed (-6.88 mg/dL, 95% CI, -12.78, -0.98). ConclusionsThese findings revealed that ALA supplementation slightly but significantly reduced blood levels of hs-CRP, TC, and LDL-C, but did not affect IL-6, MDA, HDL-C, weight, BMI, Fe, and Hb in patients with CKD.