CASP7 and chronic kidney disease: In our present study, there were no significant differences in the LV expressions of selected apoptosis-associated markers (Bax, Bcl2, Bax/Bcl2 ratio, and Casp7) between the CKD-only and sham-operated groups at the transcript or protein levels at this phase of uremic cardiomyopathy at week 13 (Fig. 8A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, Figures S8–S10).