The Potential Role of Cardiokines in Heart and Kidney Diseases.

As the engine that maintains blood circulation, the heart is also an endocrine organ that regulates the function of distant target organs by secreting a series of cardiokines. As endocrine factors, cardiokines play an indispensable role in maintaining the homeostasis of the heart and other organs. Here, we summarize some of the cardiokines that have been defined thus far and explore their roles in heart and kidney diseases. Finally, we propose that cardiokines may be a potential therapeutic target for kidney diseases.