Linked to reduced renal function, increased expression of NLRP3, caspase 1 (CASP1), and ASC positively correlate with a declining GFR (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.05; Fig. 2e, 2h and 2k respectively) and increased proteinuria (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, P < 0.001; Fig. 2f, i and l respectively) in DN. This evidence concerns the gene CASP1 and liver dysplastic nodule.