Fig. 2.

A, after 7 weeks of hyperglycemia, gene expression of nephrin, ZO-1, and podocin in glomeruli was significantly attenuated. Both ET-1 antagonists significantly increased the gene expression of these proteins at different levels in the HG-treated groups. *, p < 0.05 versus sham; †, p < 0.05 versus HG; §, p < 0.05 versus HG + A-182086. B, 7-week hyperglycemic rats exhibited significant increases in nephrin excretion compared with sham rats. Both ET receptor antagonists reduced nephrinuria to its control nonhyperglycemic levels. *, p < 0.05 versus sham; †, p < 0.05 versus HG.