TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, as important inflammatory factors, are involved in the inflammatory response of the body.16 It has been shown in a study17 that the elevated levels of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6 are vital signs for the development of diabetic nephropathy, and that the inflammatory response of the body can be reduced by applying traditional Chinese medicine to tonify the kidney and dredge collaterals. Here, TNF is linked to diabetic kidney disease.