A STAT3 inhibitor suppressed TGF-β1 so as to prevent the occurrence of DKD in STZ-induced rats [19], while it was also reported that JAK2/STAT3 signaling may play a role in the renal fibrosis repair process in mice with UUO (unilateral ureteral obstruction) and that this effect was partially mediated by MMP-2 activation. Here, MMP2 is linked to renal fibrosis.