Diabetes increased the expression of fibrotic markers collagen I and III compared to controls, while PHB overexpression significantly reduced the levels compared to vehicle treatment as indicated by immunohistochemistry (P < 0.01 for both collagen I and III) (Figure 5A–5C) and western blot analysis (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) (Figure 5E–5G). This evidence concerns the gene PHB1 and diabetes mellitus.