Fig. 7

The effects of Celastrol on PI3K, AKT, NF-κB, and mTOR in the DN rat model using RT-PCR. a PI3K, b AKT, c NF-κB, and d mTOR. NC group, normal control rats; DN group, high-fat and high-glucose diet-fed STZ-induced DN rats. DN + CL group, DN rats were given by gavage low dose (0.5 mg/kg) Celastrol. DN + CH group, DN rats were given by gavage high dose (1.5 mg/kg/d) Celastrol. DN + INH group, DN rats were intraperitoneally injected with LY294002 (1.2 mg/kg/d). Following the once per day administration of Celastrol or LY294002 for 4 weeks for the intervention, rats were sacrificed and the renal tissues evaluated. The mRNA levels of PI3K and AKT were determined using RT-PCR. Values are presented as mean ± SEM. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 compared to NC group, ^# p < 0.05, ^## p < 0.01 compared to DN group. DN, diabetic nephropathy. We used the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Turkey’s multiple comparison test to analyze the differences