CST3 and chronic kidney disease: The current findings align with those of the CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) study, which also identified a relationship between elevated plasma acute phase proteins (hs-CRP, fibrinogen and albumin) and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα) with reduced kidney function (cystatin C and eGFR) and albuminuria [20].