Abstract: Diabetic kidney disease （DKD） is one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus. The pathogenesis of DKD remains unclear. Oxidative stress and inflammation are considered the main pathophysiological factors of DKD. As an endogenous transcription factor， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） activates the transcription of antioxidant genes and cytoprotective genes， involving in regulating various cellular functions and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Thus， Nrf2 plays an important cytoprotective role in the progression of DKD. Recent studies have shown that Nrf2 could regulate autophagy， and inhibit apoptosis and ferroptosis， which is a potential therapeutic target for oxidative stress-related diseases， inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This article aims to review the recent research progress of the cryoprotection of Nrf2 pathway in DKD， and understand the potential mechanism of Nrf2 effect in DKD.

Key words: diabetic kidney disease, nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2, oxidative stress, inflammationapoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis