HG induced the EMT and increased the level of miRNA-21 in HPMCs. HPMCs were cultured with HG of different concentrations (0, 1.5%, 2.5%, 4.25%) for 24 h, or 2.5% HG for different times (0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h). (A-D) HG induced the EMT in HPMCs in a dose-dependent manner (A: Western blot; B-D: Real-time PCR). (E-H) HG induced the EMT in HPMCs in a time-dependent manner (E: Western blot; F-H: Real-time PCR). (I, J) HG increased the level of miRNA-21 in a dose-dependent (I) and time-dependent (J) manner (real-time PCR). Each value represents the mean ± SEM (n=6) (**P < 0.01 vs. control).