NPHS1 and diabetic kidney disease: Expression of nephrin and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were characterized using immunohistochemistry and Western blot.<h4>Results</h4>Compared to the control group, rats in the diabetic nephropathy group showed significant kidney damage demonstrated by high kidneyindex, high levels of urinary albumin, albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), blood urea nitrogen as well as histological evidence.