The protein level of TLR4 (Fig. 3a, b), p-IκBα/IκBα ratio (Fig. 3a, c) and p-p65/p65 ratio (Fig. 3a, d) were markedly up-regulated in STZ-induced DN rat model compared to NC group, suggesting that the TLR4/NF-κB pathway was activated in STZ-induced DN rats. The gene discussed is TLR4; the disease is liver dysplastic nodule.