Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the expression characteristics of ANGPTL8 in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome and its possible correlation with hyperlipidemia and proteinuria. Methods ANGPTL8 levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 133 subjects with PNS and 60 healthy controls. Results Compared with healthy controls, subjects with primary nephrotic syndrome had higher levels of serum and urine ANGPTL8 (P