Publication
Title
Empagliflozin decreases ageing-associated arterial stiffening and vascular fibrosis under normoglycemic conditions
Author
Abstract
Arterial stiffness is a hallmark of vascular ageing and results in increased blood flow pulsatility to the periphery, damaging end-organs such as the heart, kidneys and brain. Treating or “reversing” arterial stiffness has therefore become a central target in the field of vascular ageing. SGLT2 inhibitors, initially developed in the context of type 2 diabetes mellitus, have become a cornerstone of heart failure treatment. Additionally, effects on the vasculature have been reported. Here, we demonstrate that treatment with the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin (7 weeks, 15 mg/kg/day) decreased ageing-induced arterial stiffness of the aorta in old mice with normal blood glucose levels. However, no universal mechanism was identified. While empagliflozin reduced the ageing-associated increase in collagen type I in the medial layer of the abdominal infrarenal aorta and decreased medial TGF-β deposition, this was not observed in the thoracic descending aorta. Moreover, empagliflozin was not able to prevent elastin fragmentation. In conclusion, empagliflozin decreased arterial stiffness in aged mice, indicating that SGLT2 inhibition could be a valuable strategy in mitigating vascular ageing. Further research is warranted to unravel the underlying, possibly region-specific, mechanisms.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Vascular pharmacology. - New York, N.Y.
Publication
New York, N.Y. : 2023
ISSN
1537-1891
DOI
10.1016/J.VPH.2023.107212
Volume/pages
152 (2023) , p. 1-10
Article Reference
107212
ISI
001080388000001
Pubmed ID
37619798
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Pharmacology of cardiovascular aging.
From hit to lead: inducing basal autophagy for treating cardiovascular diseases.
The role of elastin-derived peptides in the progression of arterial stiffness with a focus on autophagy inhibition as contributing mechanism.
INnovation in Safety Pharmacology for Integrated cardiovascular safety assessment to REduce adverse events and late stage drug attrition (INSPIRE).
From hit to lead: inducing basal autophagy for treating cardiovascular disease.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 26.09.2023
Last edited 25.04.2024
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