TNF and renal fibrosis: Our previous studies showed that BSHX protects against renal fibrosis and improves renal function in rats with 5/6 Nx by regulating the expression of TNF-α, NF-κB, E-cadherin, α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF, PPARγ, OPN, fibronectin, and laminins [14,15], suggesting an important role of BSHX in alleviating renal fibrosis.