Compared with the AP model group, the treatment of rhein (1uM) for 16h increased PI3K, AKT, and mTOR expression in AR42J cells (P < 0.05); while treatment with rhein (1uM) significantly decreased the AMPK expression in these cells (P < 0.05, Figure 7). This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and alkaline phosphatase measurement.