Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a chronic renal structural and functional disorder caused by multiple causes (history of kidney injury>3 months), with complex etiology and high incidence, which will eventually lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Common chronic kidney diseases include diabetic nephropathy, polycystic nephropathy, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and renal fibrosis. At present, there is still a lack of effective specific treatment for chronic kidney disease. The Apelin system is an endogenous physiological regulator. Studies have shown that Apelin is involved in the occurrence and development of the above diseases mainly through the regulation of kidney body fluids and blood vessels, and the regulation of kidney glucose and lipid metabolism and immunity. This article aims to review the role of Apelin in chronic kidney diseases in recent years, and provide ideas for the treatment and drug development of kidney diseases with Apelin as a new target.