Figure 4. Knockout of PHD2 prevents HFD-induced increases in body weight and glucose levels in mice.

(A and B) Western blot analysis confirming that treated PHD2^f/f-Cre+ mice with tamoxifen for 7 days reduced PHD2 expression in the hearts. The expression of HIF-1α was increased in the hearts of PHD2^f/f-Cre+ mice treated with tamoxifen for 7 days compared to wild type (WT, Cre⁺) mice treated with tamoxifen for 7 days (n = 2 mice). (C and D) Pretreatment of WT, Cre⁺ mice with tamoxifen for 7 days then fed with HFD for 16 weeks led to a gradual increase in body weight and elevation of fasting glucose levels compared to WT, Cre⁺ mice fed with normal chow diet (ND) (n = 10 mice, *p<0.05). Pretreatment of PHD2^f/f-Cre+ mice with tamoxifen for 7 days then fed with HFD for 16 weeks significantly reduced body weight growth and fasting glucose levels compared to WT, Cre⁺ mice fed with HFD (n = 10 mice, *p<0.05). Pretreatment of PHD2^f/−Cre+ mice with tamoxifen for 7 days then fed with HFD for 16 weeks did not alter body weight growth and fasting glucose levels compared to WT, Cre⁺ mice fed with HFD (n = 10 mice, p>0.05).