Astragaloside IV Attenuates High-Glucose-Induced Impairment in Diabetic Nephropathy by Increasing Klotho Expression via the NF-κB/NLRP3 Axis

Figure 8

AS-IV alleviates oxidative stress levels and NF-κB (nuclear-factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) activation in podocytes exposed to high glucose and in DN glomeruli. (a) ROS (reactive oxygen species) was quantified via DCFH-DA (2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate) staining coupled with flow cytometry or immunofluorescence (200x magnification, ). Scale bar: 50 μm. (b) The mitochondrial membrane potential as assayed via flow cytometry. (c, d) NF-κB activation in podocytes was detected using immunofluorescence and western blot (630x magnification, ). Scale bar: 75 μm. (e) NF-κB activation in DN glomeruli was assessed via western blot. (f, g) MDA (malondialdehyde) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) levels in DN glomeruli as measured via ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). (h) PDTC (pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate ammonium) inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro. Values are presented as (, and ).

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