Nicotinamide mononucleotide protects against diabetic nephropathy via IL-6/Rab5-mediated crosstalk between proximal tubular epithelial cells and podocytes

Figure 6 Nicotinamide mononucleotide alleviates podocyte injury in diabetic mice. A and B: Blood glucose and HbA1c levels in the different groups; C: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the different groups; D and E: Representative PAS staining (magnification × 400; scale bar: 50 μm) and quantification of the glomerular surface area in different groups (n = 10 glomeruli/group); F: Representative electron microscopy images of podocyte foot process effacement in the different groups (magnification × 10,000; scale bar: 100 μm); G: Urinary albumin excretion (albumin/creatinine ratio) in the different groups (n = 5); H and I: Co-localization images and quantification of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, indicated by altered E-cadherin and α-SMA expression, in the different groups (magnification × 630; scale bar: 20 μm); J and K: Immunohistochemical staining and quantification of glomerular expression of Rab5-GTP in the different groups (magnification × 400; scale bar: 20 μm); L and M: Immunofluorescence co-localization and quantification of nephrin and active Rab5 (Rab5-GTP) in the different groups (magnification × 630; scale bar: 20 μm). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. ^aP < 0.05; ^bP < 0.001. DN: Diabetic nephropathy; NMN: Nicotinamide mononucleotide; AOC: Area of coverage.