Figure 1.
HgCl2 induces renal inflammation and interstitial fibrosis in rats. (A) Representative H&E-stained renal tissues. (B) Representative Masson's trichrome-stained tissues used to analyze RIF. (C) Quantification of Masson's trichrome positive staining area in renal tissue samples. (D) Renal hydroxyproline levels were measured using the method by Jamall et al (23). (E) Renal α-SMA levels were assessed via western blot analysis. (F) α-SMA levels in western blots were quantified via densitometry and were normalized to GAPDH. (G) Renal α-SMA mRNA expression was assessed by RT-qPCR. HgCl2, mercury chloride; RIF, renal interstitial fibrosis; α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin; Hyp, hydroxyproline.