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Empagliflozin improves cardiac function in rats with chronic heart failure
Zhenzhen Wang1, Qian Liu2, Xiaofang Wang2
1Department of Cardiology, Dongying People's Hospital (Dongying Hospital of Shandong Provincial Hospital Group), No. 317, Dong Cheng Nan Yi Road, Dongying, 257091, Shandong Province, China. Wangzz0925@163.com.
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg'S Archives of Pharmacology
|August 11, 2023
Summary
Empagliflozin significantly improved cardiac function in rats with chronic heart failure. The drug reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, and improved myocardial fibrosis, offering a potential therapeutic mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex condition with significant morbidity and mortality.
- Current treatments for CHF have limitations, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic agents.
- Empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, has shown cardiovascular benefits in other conditions, warranting investigation in heart failure models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of empagliflozin on cardiac function in a rat model of chronic heart failure.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which empagliflozin exerts its effects on the failing heart.
Main Methods:
- A rat model of chronic heart failure was established by ligating the anterior descending coronary artery.
- Rats were treated with empagliflozin (30 mg/kg/day) or saline for 16 weeks.
- Cardiac function, oxidative stress markers (ROS, MMP), inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, iNOS), NT-proBNP, and myocardial histology were assessed.
Main Results:
- Empagliflozin treatment significantly improved cardiac function compared to the control group.
- Empagliflozin reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).
- Serum NT-proBNP and hs-CRP levels were significantly reduced, and iNOS expression was inhibited in empagliflozin-treated rats.
Conclusions:
- Empagliflozin effectively improves cardiac function in a rat model of chronic heart failure.
- The therapeutic benefits of empagliflozin may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Empagliflozin demonstrates potential as a treatment for chronic heart failure by mitigating myocardial oxidative stress and inflammation.
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