Figure 4.
Chymase inhibition downregulated the expression of VEGF in diabetic rat renal tissues. (A) Diabetic kidneys exhibited increased VEGF immunostaining, which was reduced by treatment with the chymase inhibitor (OPh)2 (magnification, ×400). (B) Percentage VEGF-positive area in the glomeruli and tubulointerstitium of the various groups. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.01, vs. the control group; #P<0.01, vs. the DM group. (C) Chymase inhibition downregulated the expression of VEGF, as detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.01, vs. the control group; #P<0.01, vs. the DM group. VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; DM, diabetes group; DM + Chy-I, diabetes + chymase inhibitor group.