In this research protocol, the grade of hepatic IRI induced AKI and ALI is assessedby the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), namely MMP2, MMP3, MMP9 andone of their inhibitors, TIMP2, that belong to a family of zinc dependentendopeptidases, capable of degrading extracellular matrix31. The gene discussed is TIMP2; the disease is acute kidney injury.