Effect of Baoshenfang Formula on Podocyte Injury via Inhibiting the NOX-4/ROS/p38 Pathway in Diabetic Nephropathy

Figure 6

Effect of BSF on p38 pathway-induced apoptosis in HG cultured podocytes. (a) Representative band of p38 protein and P-p38 protein in cultured podocyte. (b, c) Comparison of the grey values of p38 and P-p38 protein in cultured podocytes. P-p38, but not p38 protein expression, was significantly increased in the HG group compared with the NC group. BSF decreased the expression of P-p38 protein. (d) Representative photograph of P-p38 staining (red) and cell nucleus (DAPI blue) in cultured podocyte. (e) Comparison of the fluorescence intensity of P-p38 protein in cultured podocyte. BSF significantly decreased the fluorescence intensity of P-p38 compared with the HG group. (f) Representative band of Bax protein and Bcl-2 protein in cultured podocyte. (g, h) Comparison of the grey values of Bax protein in cultured podocyte. HG upregulated the expression of Bax protein and downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein, which was reversed by BSF. (i, k) Comparison of caspase-3 activity in cultured podocyte. Either BSF or SB203580 could decrease the high caspase-3 activity induced by HG. versus NG. versus HG.

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