Figure 5

Northern blotting analysis of fibronectin, collagen type iv, and VEGF mRNA at 3, 5, 7, and 9 months in kidneys from ZDF-fa/fa (fa/fa) and lean rats (lean). Equivalent amounts of total RNA (15 μg/lane) of each sample were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization using three cDNA probes or a β-actin cDNA probe. A, Results of one representative experiment are shown. B, The intensity of each band was calculated with an image analyzer in relation to the β-actin mRNA level. Results represent means ± sem of three independent experiments and the ratios are expressed as percentages of the value for age-matched lean rats. ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01 versus lean.