Effect of high levels of AAs and glucose on AGE production in podocytes. CML was detected by (a) immunostaining of podocytes after 2 days (original magnification, ×400) and (b) ELISA of culture media after 7 days. Data are presented as mean ± SD, *P < 0.05 versus control, n = 11. Conditions included: (i) C: control (no addition), glucose 5.5 mM; (ii) AA: increased amino acids, levels 4–6-fold >control; (iii) HG: high glucose, glucose 30.5 mM; (iv) AA/HG: combination of AA and HG.