Figure 2. Wild-type (WT) and ACE 10/10 mice display similar levels of renal inflammation and injury during post L-NAME hypertension.

Kidneys from WT and ACE 10/10 mice were collected at the end of each phase of the post L-NAME protocol. Renal sections were stained for IL-6 (A) and results were confirmed by ELISA in kidney homogenates. Data were expressed as pg of IL-6 per mg of total kidney protein (B). Macrophage infiltration was performed by F4/80 staining (C) and data were expressed as F4/80 positive cells per area (D). Fibrosis was assessed by Masson’s Trichrome staining (E) and expressed as percentage of positive staining per area (F). L-NAME was given to WT (0.5 mg/mL) and ACE 10/10 (1.5 mg/mL) in the drinking water. Values represent the mean ± SEM. n = 5–11 per group, *p<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.001 vs. non-treated mice; #p<0.05 vs. all groups.