Administration of IS in CKD animals increases the profibrotic factor TGF-β1; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), an inhibitor to matrix metalloproteinases, which are responsible for ECM degradation; and proα1 (I) collagen, a procollagen precursor expressed in the renal cortex. The gene discussed is TIMP1; the disease is chronic kidney disease.