TNF and acute kidney injury: In fact, in an experimental CI-AKI model, 5 days after CM injection MCP-1 protein levels were found to be elevated in the renal tubules of CI-AKI rats, accompanied by increased concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in the kidneys and the serum, ROS production, cell death, renal dysfunction and an increased excretion of other urinary AKI biomarkers.