AKT1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Therefore, the current study investigated the changes and roles of VEGFR1 and their downstream signaling of PI3K-Akt, FoxOs and eNOS-NO in type 2 diabetes and in cultured human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs) using a VEGFR1-selective hexapeptide, Gly-Asn-Gln-Trp-Phe-Ile (GNQWFI).