Fig. 6. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) protects diabetic nephropathy through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) pathway. Renal expression of ERK1/2 (B), AMPK (C), P38 (D), SIRT1 (F) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) (G) was examined by Western blotting assay (A), and renal SIRT1 mRNA expression was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (E). Data are presented as mean±standard deviation (Friend virus B NIH Jackson [FVB], n=9; diabetes mellitus [DM], n=10; FGF21-treated diabetic mice [FGF21], n=6). p-, phosphor; T-, total. ^aP≤0.05 for each DM vs. FVB groups, ^bP≤0.05 for DM/FGF21 vs. DM groups.