SMAD3 and liver dysplastic nodule: In type 2 diabetes-associated DN, our study reveals that deletion of Smad3 from db/db mice prevents the development of DN as Smad3KO-db/db mice are free from diabetes and DN with normal levels of blood glucose and serum creatinine without insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, obesity, albuminuria, and renal pathology [76,77].