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Life
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Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome
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Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 3299

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chien Yu Lin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan
Interests: internal medicine; epidemiology; endocrine disruptor; nephrology; heavy metals; epigenetics; cardiovascular disease; metabolic syndrome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ching-Chung Hsiao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nephrology, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Interests: internal medicine; nephrology; cardiovascular disease; diabetic kidney disease; metabolic syndrome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome represents a complex interplay between metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and kidney dysfunction. This interconnected triad reflects shared pathophysiological mechanisms, including systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal dysregulation, and endothelial dysfunction, which collectively amplify morbidity and mortality risks. Understanding CKM syndrome is crucial as its prevalence rises with the global surge in obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

This Special Issue of Life aims to advance research on the intricate relationships between cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic systems. By fostering a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to address gaps in the knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms, early detection, and innovative therapeutic strategies for CKM syndrome.

We invite original research articles and reviews that address critical aspects of this field, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Pathophysiological mechanisms linking cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic dysfunction;
  • Biomarkers for early detection and the progression of cardiovascular, kidney, metabolic syndrome, and mortality;
  • The role of environmental pollutants and lifestyle factors in the progression of cardiovascular, kidney, or metabolic syndrome;
  • Interventions targeting CKM syndrome through pharmacological or lifestyle approaches;
  • Impact of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic syndrome on health disparities and vulnerable populations;
  • Novel animal or computational models for studying CKM interactions;
  • Role of diet, gut microbiome, and inflammation in the progression of cardiovascular, kidney, or metabolic syndrome.

This Special Issue aims to situate CKM syndrome within the broader literature on chronic disease interconnectivity and offer insights to improve prevention, diagnosis, and management strategies.

Dr. Chien Yu Lin
Dr. Ching-Chung Hsiao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome
  • mortality
  • biomarkers
  • epidemiology
  • environmental pollutants
  • gut microbiome
  • oxidative stress
  • metabolic syndrome
  • coronary heart disease
  • chronic renal failure
  • cardiovascular disease
  • cardiorenal syndrome
  • metabolic disorders
  • heart failure
  • diabetes and CKD
  • inflammation and CKM syndrome
  • multi-organ interaction
  • translational research in CKM

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1728 KiB  
Article
Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Cardiovascular Risk Scores, Metabolic Parameters, and Laboratory Profiles in Type 2 Diabetes
by Nazif Yalçın, Selman Aktaş, Seyit Uyar and Nizameddin Koca
Life 2025, 15(5), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15050722 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2025
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are known to provide cardioprotective effects, but their influence on validated cardiovascular risk models remains underexplored. This study assessed the impact [...] Read more.
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are known to provide cardioprotective effects, but their influence on validated cardiovascular risk models remains underexplored. This study assessed the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiovascular risk scores, metabolic parameters, and laboratory profiles over six months. Methods: This study was conducted on 152 T2DM patients initiating SGLT2 inhibitors. Cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the SCORE2-DM model at baseline and after six months. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis assessed temporal risk stratification changes. Metabolic parameters and laboratory profiles were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: Cardiovascular risk scores decreased significantly, i.e., from 21.68 to 17.43 (p < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced by 9.21 mmHg and 6.16 mmHg, respectively (p < 0.001). BMI declined by 1.27 kg/m2 (p < 0.001), and HbA1c decreased by 1.38% (p < 0.001). Triglyceride levels dropped by 22.91 mg/dL (p < 0.001), while renal parameters remained stable. The GEE analysis confirmed significant shifts to lower cardiovascular risk categories (β = −0.777, p < 0.001), with comparable efficacy between empagliflozin and dapagliflozin (p = 0.922). Conclusions: SGLT2 inhibitor therapy significantly reduces cardiovascular risk and improves metabolic and laboratory parameters in T2DM patients. These findings highlight the importance of integrating SGLT2 inhibitors into comprehensive cardiometabolic management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome)
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16 pages, 1434 KiB  
Article
Associations of Serum Cystatin C, DNAm Cystatin C, Renal Function, and Mortality in U.S. Adults
by Yu-Wei Fang, Wei-Chung Huang, Chikang Wang and Chien-Yu Lin
Life 2025, 15(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15010013 - 27 Dec 2024
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Abstract
Serum cystatin C is a well-established marker of renal function and a valuable predictor of health risks and mortality. DNA methylation-predicted cystatin C (DNAmCystatinC), an advanced epigenetic biomarker, serves as a proxy for serum cystatin C levels. However, the relationships between serum cystatin [...] Read more.
Serum cystatin C is a well-established marker of renal function and a valuable predictor of health risks and mortality. DNA methylation-predicted cystatin C (DNAmCystatinC), an advanced epigenetic biomarker, serves as a proxy for serum cystatin C levels. However, the relationships between serum cystatin C, DNAmCystatinC, renal function, and mortality outcomes have not been previously examined. This study aimed to examine the associations between serum cystatin C, DNAmCystatinC, renal function, and their joint and independent relationships with mortality in U.S. adults. We analyzed data from 1642 participants aged 50 and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002, linked to mortality information from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), with follow-up through 2019. Our analysis demonstrated a positive association between ln-DNAmCystatinC and ln-serum cystatin C (Adjusted β (SE) = 0.773 (0.267), p = 0.007), while ln-DNAmCystatinC was negatively correlated with ln-Estimated glomerular filtration rate, calculated using both creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRcr-cys) (Adjusted β (SE) = −1.123 (0.449), p = 0.018). In a weighted Cox regression model, a one-unit increase in ln-serum cystatin C was linked to an increased hazard ratio (HR) of 2.87 (95% CI: 1.938–4.26, p < 0.001) for all-cause mortality and 3.04 (95% CI: 1.34–6.88, p = 0.010) for cardiovascular mortality. Additionally, a one-unit increase in ln-DNAmCystatinC was associated with an HR of 135.86 (95% CI: 5.51–3349.69, p = 0.004) for all-cause mortality. This association was particularly pronounced in participants without chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a p-value for the interaction between DNAmCystatinC and CKD on all-cause mortality of 0.002. Furthermore, individuals with serum cystatin C and DNAmCystatinC levels above the 50th percentile showed the highest all-cause mortality risk when compared to other subgroups. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that DNAmCystatinC is a stronger predictor of all-cause mortality than serum cystatin C, with potential additive effects when both biomarkers are considered together. These results suggest their utility as valuable clinical indicators for risk stratification and early intervention. Future research should validate these findings and further explore the clinical and public health implications of epigenetic biomarkers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome)
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Review

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18 pages, 1411 KiB  
Review
Micro- and Nano-Plastic-Induced Adverse Health Effects on Lungs and Kidneys Linked to Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
by Seung Eun Lee, Do Yun Kim, Taek Seung Jeong and Yong Seek Park
Life 2025, 15(3), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030392 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1870
Abstract
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are small plastic particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastics. They are widely dispersed in the environment and pose a threat to wildlife and humans. MNPs are present in almost all everyday items, including food, drinks, and [...] Read more.
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are small plastic particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastics. They are widely dispersed in the environment and pose a threat to wildlife and humans. MNPs are present in almost all everyday items, including food, drinks, and household products. Air inhalation can also lead to exposure to MNPs. Research in animals indicates that once MNPs are absorbed, they can spread to various organs, including the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, thymus, reproductive organs, kidneys, and even the brain by crossing the blood–brain barrier. Furthermore, MPs can transport persistent organic pollutants or heavy metals from invertebrates to higher levels in the food chain. When ingested, the additives and monomers that comprise MNPs can disrupt essential biological processes in the human body, thereby leading to disturbances in the endocrine and immune systems. During the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a significant increase in the global use of polypropylene-based face masks, leading to insufficient waste management and exacerbating plastic pollution. This review examines the existing research on the impact of MNP inhalation on human lung and kidney health based on in vitro and in vivo studies. Over the past decades, a wide range of studies suggest that MNPs can impact both lung and kidney tissues under both healthy and diseased conditions. Therefore, this review emphasizes the need for additional studies employing multi-approach analyses of various associated biomarkers and mechanisms to gain a comprehensive and precise understanding of the impact of MNPs on human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome)
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