Figure 2: Effects of irbesartan and pioglitazone on histopathological changes in rats with diabetic nephropathy. A) Cut section of normal renal tissue of control. B) Cut section of renal diabetic nephropathy revealed diffuse diabetic glomerular sclerotic lesion, which is characterized by diffuse thickening of glomerular capillary wall and a generalized increase in mesangial matrix in all mesangial regions of all glomeruli. C) Cut section of renal tissues of STZ induced diabetic nephropathy in rats treated with irbesartan showing mild thickening of glomerular capillary wall and mild changes in mesangial matrix (H & E x 40). D) Cut section of renal tissues of STZ induced diabetic nephropathy in rats treated with pioglitazone showing mild thickening of glomerular capillary wall and mild changes in mesangial matrix (H & E x 40). E) Cut section of renal tissues of STZ induced diabetic nephropathy in rats treated with large doses of pioglitazone (30mg/kg/day) + irbesartan (30mg/kg/day) showing mild thickening of glomerular capillary wall and mild changes in mesangial matrix (H & E x 40). F) Cut section of renal tissues of STZ induced diabetic nephropathy in rats treated with small doses of pioglitazone (15mg/kg/day) + irbesartan (5mg/kg/day) showing mild thickening of glomerular capillary wall and mild changes in mesangial matrix (H & E x 40).