NFE2L2 and diabetes mellitus: This study through the Nrf2 signalling pathway and oxidative stress to explore the effects of proanthocyanidins on DN demonstrated that GSPE can activate Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant response genes in the kidney tissues of STZ-induced rats with diabetes and act as a transcription factor for the endogenous antioxidant defence systems, thereby reduce the damage of diabetic renal cells, and slow down the progress of DN.