Beneficial effects of empagliflozin and liraglutide on the cerebral microcirculation of diabetic rats

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the antidiabetics liraglutide, a GLP-1 analog, and empagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor, on the brain microcirculation of diabetic rats.

Methods

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) was experimentally induced in male Wistar rats by combining a high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Liraglutide (100 μg/kg s.c.) and empagliflozin (10 mg/kg, oral) were administered for 5 weeks. Body weight was monitored periodically. Oral glucose tolerance, fasting glycemia, and blood triglycerides were evaluated after the treatments. Endothelial–leukocyte interactions in the brain microcirculation and structural capillary density were assessed.

Results

DM rats presented metabolic and cerebrovascular alterations. Liraglutide treatment decreased body weight and blood triglycerides of DM rats. Empagliflozin treatment improved glucose tolerance but only the combination therapy significantly reduced fasting blood glucose. Both treatments and their combination reduced leukocyte adhesion into the endothelium of brain venules. However, empagliflozin was more effective in preventing DM-induced microvascular rarefaction.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that chronic treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists may serve as potential therapeutic approaches to prevent microvascular complications associated with diabetes.     

抗肥胖药物研究进展

肥胖是全球主要公共卫生问题之一,会导致一系列的健康相关疾病风险,迫切需要有更安全、更有效且耐受性更好的新抗肥胖药物。本文概要介绍抗肥胖药物的现状和研究进展。