Figure 12.

Sildenafil treatment prevents TRPC6 overexpression and podocyte injury in the STZ–induced hyperglycemic mouse model for renal injury. STZ-induced hyperglycemia was induced in healthy mice (STZ), after which animals were treated with sildenafil. Thereafter, animals were euthanized, and (A) serum glucose and glomerular TRPC6 (B) protein and (C) mRNA expression were determined. In addition, protein expression of (D) desmin and (E) nephrin was measured, and (F) urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (micrograms per milligram) was assessed. Protein expression is depicted as percentage of vehicle-treated mice; n=3–5 animals per group. Statistical significance was determined using ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test. *P<0.05 versus vehicle-injected control mice; ^#P<0.05 versus STZ-treated mice.