TGFB1 and liver dysplastic nodule: In accordance with the increase in TGF-β1 expression and the activation of PKC-ζ, AKT, and ERK which play critical roles in DN pathogenesis [18]–[22], fluorofenidone more greatly reduced these reno-events in db/db mice initially treated at 5-weeks old compared to at either 8 or 12-weeks old.