KEAP1 and chronic kidney disease: Immunohistochemical results (Figure 3A) in VC rats models with CKD and RT-qPCR and western blot assays (Figures 3B,C) in VC cell models demonstrated elevated KEAP1 expression and reduced NRF2 expression (p < 0.05), relative to sham-operated rats that showed no differences from the normal rats and control cells.