PGC1α Activators Mitigate Diabetic Tubulopathy by Improving Mitochondrial Dynamics and Quality Control

Figure 5

AICAR and metformin reduce ROS production and apoptosis and decrease TGFβ1 and αSMA expression in human renal proximal tubular cells (RPTCs) exposed to high glucose (HG). (a) Representative confocal images of MitoSOX indicate a reduction in mitochondrial ROS production after treatment with AICAR or metformin in human RPTCs subjected to HG. (b) Western blot analyses reveal decreased expression of the apoptogenic proteins cytochrome C and Bax and increased expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl2 after AICAR or metformin treatment under HG conditions. (c) Western blot analyses show that AICAR or metformin treatment induces the downregulation of TGFβ1 and αSMA, but upregulation of E-cad under HG conditions in human RPTCs ( versus 5 mM glucose; versus 30 mM; scale bar 10 μm).

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