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Cardiovascular Diabetology
Published in: Cardiovascular Diabetology 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Empagliflozin | Original investigation

Empagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, alleviates atrial remodeling and improves mitochondrial function in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Authors: Qingmiao Shao, Lei Meng, Sharen Lee, Gary Tse, Mengqi Gong, Zhiwei Zhang, Jichao Zhao, Yungang Zhao, Guangping Li, Tong Liu

Published in: Cardiovascular Diabetology | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) development. Sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Their cardioprotective effects have been reported but whether they prevent AF in T2DM patients are less well-explored. We tested the hypothesis that the SGLT-2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, can prevent atrial remodeling in a diabetic rat model.

Methods

High-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) treatment were used to induce T2DM. A total of 96 rats were randomized into the following four groups: (i) control (ii) T2DM, (iii) low-dose empagliflozin (10 mg/kg/day)/T2DM; and (iv) high-dose empagliflozin (30 mg/kg/day)/T2DM by the intragastric route for 8 weeks.

Results

Compared with the control group, left atrial diameter, interstitial fibrosis and the incidence of AF inducibility were significantly increased in the DM group. Moreover, atrial mitochondrial respiratory function, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial biogenesis were impaired. Empagliflozin treatment significantly prevented the development of these abnormalities in DM rats, likely via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-c coactivator 1α (PGC-1α)/nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1)/mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Empagliflozin can ameliorate atrial structural and electrical remodeling as well as improve mitochondrial function and mitochondrial biogenesis in T2DM, hence may be potentially used in the prevention of T2DM-related atrial fibrillation.
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Metadata
Title
Empagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, alleviates atrial remodeling and improves mitochondrial function in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors
Qingmiao Shao
Lei Meng
Sharen Lee
Gary Tse
Mengqi Gong
Zhiwei Zhang
Jichao Zhao
Yungang Zhao
Guangping Li
Tong Liu
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cardiovascular Diabetology / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2840
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-019-0964-4

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