MTOR and Hyperglycemia: This directly targets small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad)-1 to weaken mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated autophagy or cooperates with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) to protect podocytes from the effects of hyperglycemia, and improve the proliferation and migration of podocytes to protect renal function (57, 61, 62).