Figure 5.

Gene and protein expressions associated with the Keap1–Nrf2 antioxidant pathway of the kidney: (a) the relative expression of the enzymatic antioxidant system Nrf2, Keap1, SOD, and CAT mRNA in the kidney was measured by RT-PCR; (b) relative mRNA expression levels of detoxification enzymes NQO1, GSS, GCLC and GCLM in the kidney; (c) protein expression of Nrf2 and Keap1 were examined by Western blot in renal tissue. Data are means ± SEM (n = 8). ‘*’ (p < 0.05) and ‘**’ (p < 0.01) indicates significant or highly significant differences, respectively, versus the control. ‘#’ (p < 0.05) and ‘##’ (p < 0.01) means difference or extremely difference, respectively, compared with the AFB1 treatment (p < 0.01).