However, further study incorporating the use of gene knock-out mice for TLR4, MyD88 and/or NF-κB should be performed in order to confirm the role of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway activation in dexmedetomidine mediated attenuation of acute kidney injury after orthotopic autologous liver transplantation. This evidence concerns the gene NFKB1 and acute kidney injury.