The expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as iNOS, IFN-γ, and IL-12, was significantly higher in the colon of aged mice than in young mice, and IL-12 levels in particular were consistently increased during AKI to CKD transition, suggesting that IL-12 is an important mediator of IRI-induced intestinal inflammation in aged mice. The gene discussed is NOS2; the disease is acute kidney injury.