MAPK8 and diabetic kidney disease: In DKD, MAPKKK-TAK1 is activated, which phosphorylates MAPKK-MKK3/6 and then phosphorylates p38MAPK, thereby activating the NF-κB signaling pathway and increasing the expression of inflammatory factors.[31] Many traditional Chinese medicine compounds or their active components can inhibit the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and JNK to protect the kidney.