Fig. 1
UC-MSC administration ameliorates renal injury in DN rats. Rats were exposed to 60 mg/kg STZ by intraperitoneal to induce DN model. UC-MSCs (2 × 106/500 μl) were administrated via the tail veil to assess the therapeutic effect. a Flowchart and timetable of rat treatment from day 0 to week 12. b Renal function in DN rats with or without UC-MSC administration was determined by measuring serum creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, 24 h total urine protein and creatinine clearance rate at week 12, n = 5–8 rats/group. H&E staining (c), PAS staining (d) and Masson staining (e) in the kidneys to observe histological changes, n = 3 rats/group, Scale bar: 100 µm in H&E and Masson, Scale bar: 20 µm in PAS. Data presented as mean ± SD of individuals included in each group. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01