PKM2 is significantly upregulated in the LPS-induced AKI model, and its inhibition was found to significantly suppress the expression of HIF-1α and apoptosis-related factors, such as B-cell lymphoma 2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa interacting protein 3(BNIP3), B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein (Bax), and caspase-3. This evidence concerns the gene PKM and acute kidney injury.