Figure 9. AMPK activation reduces urine albumin, urine hydrogen peroxide, and glomerular 8-OHdG.

AICAR reduced the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (A) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) excretion (B) in the diabetic mice. (n ≥ 8 per group, *P < 0.05 vs. control; **P < 0.05 vs. corresponding diabetic group). (C) Glomerular 8-OHdG content was significantly increased in the diabetic groups and significantly reduced by AICAR treatment by immunoperoxidase staining. Original magnification, ×40. (D) Quantification of 8-OHdG–positive cells per glomerulus. n = 20 glomeruli from each mouse kidney; 3 mice per group. *P < 0.001 vs. control; **P < 0.001 vs. DM. Ampka2^–/– mice underwent urine collections and albumin/creatinine ratio (E) and hydrogen peroxide excretion (F) are shown (n = 6 per group, P < 0.05 vs. control).