##Reduction of DN inflammation by ferroptosis inhibitor
Ferroptosis is involved in mediating the inflammatory response. The expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were assessed by Western blotting post-DN to clarify the content of inflammation (Figure 5A,5B,5C,5D). The IL-1β, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 in the kidneys of rats in the DN group was significantly increased compared to the control group. SRS 16-86 attenuated the levels of expression. SRS 16-86 decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the kidneys of rats with DN.
##Improvement of theorganizational structure after DN via the inhibition of ferroptosis
To explore whether SRS 16-86 modulates the organizational structure after DN, we examined the kidneys of rats in each group with HE staining (Figure 6). In comparison to kidneys in the control group, obvious disorder was visible on the section of the kidneys in the DN group. In the DN group, the glomerular morphology was abnormal, the renal tubule space was enlarged, and renal tissue fibrosis was enhanced. Meanwhile, the DN-SRS group showed an improvement of organizational structure when compared with the DN group. These results show that SRS 16-86 significantly reduced destruction of the organizational structure as evidenced by the increased amount of spared normal tissue and the decreased extent of lesions, which were associated with improved renal function recovery.