It has also been shown that STZ‐treated C57BL/6 mice following TauT gene knockout displayed more advanced diabetic nephropathy than STZ‐induced C57BL/6 mice, as evidenced by considerable GBM thickening, enlarged mesangial matrix, fibrous thickening of efferent and afferent arterioles with severe dilatation and arteriosclerosis, and major renal hypertrophy. This evidence concerns the gene SLC6A6 and arteriosclerosis.