Metformin or losartan reduced the level of α-SMA and increased the level of anti-fibrotic molecules phosphorylated Smad 1,5,8 (p-Smad 1,5,8) in kidney lysates (Fig. 2m–o), suggesting that metformin or losartan suppressed renal fibrosis. Here, ACTA1 is linked to renal fibrosis.