WJ-39, an Aldose Reductase Inhibitor, Ameliorates Renal Lesions in Diabetic Nephropathy by Activating Nrf2 Signaling

Figure 3

WJ-39 treatment attenuated renal oxidative stress by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats. The concentration of (a) malondialdehyde (MDA) and the ratios of (b) oxidized/reduced form of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺/NADH) and (c) reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) in renal cortex tissues were detected by using biochemical chromatometry kits. (d) Protein levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), and thioredoxin (TRX) in renal cortex tissues were detected by western blotting and quantified. The activities of (e) catalase (CAT) and (f) superoxide dismutase (SOD) in renal cortex tissues were detected by using biochemical chromatometry kits. (g) Protein levels of Nrf2 in the nucleus and cytosol and ratios of phosphorylated protein/total protein (p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT) in renal cortex tissues were detected by western blotting and quantified. Data are represented as the (SEM), . ^## and ^### vs. the control group; , , and vs. the STZ group. PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; AKT, protein kinase B.

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