Autophagy level was first decreased and then increased in PHN rat glomeruli.

<p>(A–B).Western blot analysis of isolated glomerular protein confirmed the downregulation of LC3 II (an autophagy marker) in the glomeruli from PHN rats on day 7 compared to control rats, indicating decreased autophagy level. From day 14, the expression of LC3 II was upregulated, indicating increased autophagy level, *<i>P</i><0.05 vs Control.(C).Confocal microscopic analysis of renal cortex cryosections from PHN rats and controls confirmed the expression of LC3 (green, an autophagy marker), indicating that the autophagy level first decreased and then increased in PHN rat glomeruli compared to that in control rats. Magnification = ×600.