TLR4 deficiency ameliorated renal dysfunction (serum BUN and creatinine) and tubular endothelial apoptosis determined by immunofluorescence staining of CD31 and TUNEL, and western blot of apoptotic protein (caspase-3, c-caspase-3, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio).
Compared with normal rats that underwent I/R, diabetic rats that underwent I/R exhibited more severe tubular damage and renal dysfunction as well as expression of the apoptotic protein caspase-3.