Breaking New Ground: Prof. Mike Chan and Ukrainian Scientists Publish First Results on the FGF23–Klotho Complex in Kidney Health

KYIV, Ukraine (Sept 2025) – When it comes to global health, few organs are as vital to long-term survival and healthy aging as the kidneys. Every day, they filter around 50 gallons of blood, balancing minerals, removing toxins, and regulating blood pressure. Yet their gradual decline is linked to conditions ranging from osteoporosis to cardiovascular disease.

Against this backdrop, a joint study by Ukrainian and Malaysian scientists has shed new light on the FGF23–Klotho complex, a molecular pathway increasingly recognized as central to kidney health, bone strength, and longevity.

Published in the Scopus-indexed journal Kidneys, the findings represent the first clinical results under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the European Wellness Academy (EWA), founded by Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike Chan, and the Urology Department of Bogomolets National Medical University in Kyiv.

The Study

“Healthy kidneys are not just filters – they are gatekeepers of longevity,” Prof. Chan said. “The FGF23–Klotho axis is emerging as the missing link that explains why kidney health is tied so closely to bone strength, vascular stability, and the pace of aging itself.”

The research analyzed 104 patients, divided into three groups:

• 41 healthy individuals with no history of kidney stones or crystalluria.
• 39 patients with nephrolithiasis (kidney stones).
• 24 patients with crystalluria, a condition marked by excess crystals in the urine and often a precursor to stones.

Researchers measured salt transport indices and three biomarkers: osteocalcin, osteopontin, and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23).

The results were striking: patients with kidney stones and crystalluria had significantly higher levels of FGF23 and calcification markers compared with healthy controls. Importantly, FGF23 levels correlated strongly with serum phosphate, underscoring its role in mineral metabolism.

The authors concluded that FGF23 is both a diagnostic marker and a potential therapeutic target. Elevated levels signal mineral imbalance and tubular stress, offering clinicians a way to detect kidney damage before it becomes irreversible.

“This is vital for clinicians,” Prof. Chan explained. “If we can detect kidney stress at the molecular level, we can intervene long before permanent decline sets in.”

A Wider Impact

The implications extend far beyond urology. Disturbances in the FGF23–Klotho axis are also tied to osteoporosis, vascular calcification, and systemic aging.

“The axis is not merely a biochemical curiosity,” Prof. Chan said. “It is a master regulator of mineral balance and healthspan. By restoring balance, we may be able to slow down multiple age-related diseases at once.”

He added:

“This is the first step in validating the FGF23–Klotho axis as a cornerstone of kidney and systemic health. The findings open doors for therapies that could benefit millions worldwide, from kidney stone sufferers to patients at risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.”

Collaboration Across Borders

The project is a milestone in scientific cooperation between Malaysia and Ukraine.

“This partnership shows how international collaboration accelerates discovery,” Prof. Chan noted. “Ukraine brings outstanding clinical research capacity. At European Wellness, we contribute decades of expertise in regenerative medicine. Together, we are uncovering new pathways that could transform how we diagnose and treat kidney-related diseases.”

He emphasized: “Science has no borders. Even in challenging times, Ukrainian institutions continue to make contributions that resonate globally.”

A Growing Global Challenge

The World Health Organization projects that by 2030, one in six people worldwide will be over 60. Many will face kidney disease, bone loss, and cardiovascular conditions at the same time.

“This kind of integrative science is not just timely—it’s urgent,” Prof. Chan said. “Healthy kidneys safeguard bone health, vascular health, and overall longevity. Our findings point to the possibility of using regenerative strategies to rebalance this axis, offering hope for millions at risk of kidney and age-related diseases.”

Looking ahead, he added: “We are already planning the next steps. We want to test whether dietary phosphate restriction, vitamin D modulation, or regenerative therapies can restore balance to the FGF23–Klotho axis. If successful, this could open the door to personalized treatment strategies.”

Conclusion

The publication of these first results in Kidneys represents both a scientific breakthrough and a demonstration of international partnership in action. For Prof. Mike Chan, it is a validation of decades of work in regenerative medicine and a glimpse into the future of precision nephrology.

By uncovering the pivotal role of the FGF23–Klotho axis in kidney and bone health, this research opens new pathways for diagnosis, prevention, and therapy—bringing medicine closer to a future where age-related decline can be delayed and kidney health preserved.