Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
SGLT2 inhibition improves endothelium-independent vasodilatory function in type 2 diabetes: A double-blind,
Didde Kidmose Kristensen1,2, Frank Holden Mose1,2, Niels Henrik Buus2,3
1University Clinic in Nephrology and Hypertension, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark.
Aims:
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of empagliflozin on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilatation and systemic hemodynamic parameters and to assess the role of the nitric oxide (NO) system in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Materials And Methods:
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled cross over trial, patients with T2DM were treated with either empagliflozin 10 mg or matching placebo for 4 weeks. Following a 2-week washout, participants were crossed over to 4 weeks of the opposite treatment. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured after each treatment period using venous occlusion plethysmography. Acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were infused into the brachial artery to assess endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilatory function, respectively. Total peripheral resistance, 24-h blood pressure (BP) and biochemical markers of NO activity were measured as well.
Results:
Sixteen participants completed the trial. The mean age was 68 ± 8 years, and 69% were male. The SNP response increased by 21% (geometric mean ratio 1.21, 95% CI: 1.09; 1.33) during treatment with empagliflozin compared to placebo (p ≤ 0.001), but not during acetylcholine infusion (p = 0.290). Empagliflozin decreased 24-h systolic BP by 5 mmHg (95% CI: -9; -1 mmHg) (p = 0.015), diastolic BP by 2 mmHg (95% CI: -5; 0 mmHg) (p = 0.029) and systemic vascular resistance by 48 dyn×s/m5 (95% CI: -94; -1 dyn×s/m5) (p = 0.044). Furthermore, empagliflozin reduced plasma levels of nitrite and urinary levels of NOx.
Conclusions:
Empagliflozin improves endothelium-independent vasodilation, reduces vascular resistance and lowers 24-h BP in patients with T2DM, whereas no change in endothelial-dependent vasodilation was observed.
Trial Registration:
EU Clinical Trials Register number: 2019-004303-12 (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2019-004303-12/DK).
More Related Videos
08:41Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2019
09:33A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway