Figure 1.

Differential effect of caspase inhibitors M-920 and CIX on diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice. (A) Albuminuria and extracellular matrix accumulation, as reflected by the fractional mesangial area (FMA), are decreased in M-920-treated db/db mice (+M-920; targeting caspases 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8) as compared with PBS-treated db/db mice (db/db). Treatment with CIX (+CIX; targeting caspases 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10) has no effect on these markers in db/db mice. Treatment was initiated at age 8 weeks and continued for 12 weeks. Mean value±SEM. At least six mice in each group. (B) FMA; periodic acid–Schiff–stained glomeruli (size bar: 20 µm). (C) FMA; mean value±SEM. *P<0.05. alb, albumin; crea, creatinine; db/m, nondiabetic control; ns, not significant.