CCN2 and renal fibrosis: Activation of inflammatory and oxidative pathway in CKD might lead to renal fibrosis which is manifested by upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and changes in these markers were mitigated by both LCZ696 and valsartan (40, 46).