['Tumor necrosis factor-alpha has a significant role in renal tubular cell apoptosis during obstruction induced renal injury. While we have previously reported the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in extrinsic pathway apoptotic signaling during renal obstruction, to our knowledge its effect on intrinsic pathway signaling and mitochondrial release of cytochrome C has not previously been evaluated.', 'Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction vs sham operation. At 24 hours before surgery and every 84 hours thereafter the animals received vehicle or a pegylated form of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1. The kidneys were harvested 1 week postoperatively. The renal cortex was analyzed for tumor necrosis factor-alpha production (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), apoptosis (TUNEL and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), Bax, caspase 8 and truncated Bid expression (Western blot), and mitochondrial cytochrome C release (immunohistochemistry).', 'Renal obstruction induced increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, apoptotic renal tubular death, the expression of Bax, caspase 8 and truncated BID, and mitochondrial release of cytochrome C, while simultaneously stimulating decreased Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) expression. Treatment with the pegylated form of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 significantly decreased obstruction induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, apoptosis, Bax, caspase 8, truncated Bid expression and mitochondrial cytochrome C release, and increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) expression.'] Does tumor necrosis factor-alpha induce intrinsic apoptotic signaling during renal obstruction through truncated bid activation?