Oxidative stress and inflammation play a central role in progression and complications of CKD and are, in part, due to impairment of the Nrf2 system which regulates expression of antioxidant and detoxifying molecules. Natural Nrf2 inducing phytochemicals have been shown to ameliorate kidney disease in experimental animals. However due to adverse outcomes clinical trial of synthetic Nrf2 activator, bardoxolone methyl (BARD), in CKD patients was terminated. BARD activates Nrf2 via 2 covalent modification of reactive cysteine residues in Nrf2 repressor molecule, Keap-1. In addition to Nrf2, Keap1 suppresses IKKB, the positive regulator of NF k B. Treatment with BARD analog, dh404, at 5-20 mg/kg/day in diabetic obese Zucker rats exacerbates whereas its use at 2 mg/kg/day in 5/6 nephrectomized rats attenuates CKD progression. We, therefore, hypothesized that deleterious effects of high dose BARD are mediated by activation of NF k B.CKD (5/6 nephrectomized) rats were randomized to receive dh404 (2 or 10mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 12 weeks. Vehicle-treated group exhibited glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis and inflammation, activation of NF k B, upregulation of oxidative, inflammatory and fibrotic pathways, and suppression of Nrf2 activity and its key target gene products. Treatment with low dose dh404 restored Nrf2 activity and expression of its target genes, attenuated activation of NF k B and fibrotic pathways, and reduced glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis and inflammation. In contrast treatment with high dh404 dosage intensified proteinuria, renal dysfunction and histological abnormalities, amplified up-regulations of NF k B and fibrotic pathways, and suppression of Nrf2 system. Thus therapy with BARD analogs exerts a dose-dependent dimorphic impact on CKD progression.