MON-207 THE NRF2-HEME OXYGENASE-1 SYSTEM MODULATES AUTOPHAGY AND INHIBITS HIGH GLUCOSE INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN RENAL TUBULAR EPITHELIAL CELLS

Autophagy is a tightly regulated process in which endog­enous cellular proteins aggregate and damaged organelles are degraded by the lysosomal pathway. This process functions to maintain intracellular homeostasis and cell integrity. Its renoprotective role in several animal models, including those used for aging and acute kidney injury, has also been demonstrated. However, The role of autophagy in diabetic nephropathy remains a largely undetermined; thus, its underlying mecha­nisms are presently unclear.