DKK3 and coronary atherosclerosis: There are a few previous studies that have reported associations between the present novel kidney biomarkers and cardiovascular phenotypes: Plasma DKK-3 has been reported to be inversely associated with atherosclerotic calcified plaque and coronary atherosclerosis in previous small-scale studies and considered as an independent factor in predicting the presence of coronary atherosclerosis in the general population and patients with type 2 diabetes18.