Q-PCR indicated a significant reduction in the expression of renal fibrosis-related genes (fn-1, αSMA, Col1a1, Col3a1, Ctgf, fsp1, KIM) and inflammatory cytokines (Tgfα, Tgfβ, Il-1b, Il-4, Il-6, CD44, CD68) in the kidney of the acetate-treatment group (Fig. 1e). This evidence concerns the gene COL3A1 and renal fibrosis.