Which is the main molecular target responsible for the cardiovascular benefits in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial? A journey through the kidney, the heart and other interesting places.

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis

Endocrinology Unit, Dept. Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini, 6, Florence, Italy; Diabetology, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy. Electronic address:

Published: December 2016

Background: The results of the EMPA-REG-OUTCOME trial on type 2 diabetic patients at high risk for prior cardiovascular events showed that empagliflozin produces a remarkable reduction in the rates of hospitalization for heart failure (35%), cardiovascular death (38%), and all-cause death (32%). This unexpected cardio-protective action cannot be accounted for by the improvement of "classical" cardiovascular risk factors.

Aims: This review aims at summarizing current knowledge on the cardiovascular action of SGLT2 inhibitors and discuss the different hypotheses formulated to explain the results of the EMPA-REG-OUTCOME-study.

Data Synthesis: We discuss in detail the major cardiovascular outcomes of the study in the light of the potential systemic and myocardial mechanisms of action of the drug. In addition, we propose and speculate on a direct effect of empagliflozin on cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions: The available evidence is insufficient to establish any of the proposed mechanisms of cardiovascular action of empagliflozin. While awaiting for the results of ongoing clinical studies with other SGLT2 inhibitors, the most promising putative mechanisms still deserve to be confirmed with specifically designed, yet unavailable, pre-clinical studies.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2016.09.001DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cardiovascular action
8
sglt2 inhibitors
8
cardiovascular
7
main molecular
4
molecular target
4
target responsible
4
responsible cardiovascular
4
cardiovascular benefits
4
benefits empa-reg
4
empa-reg outcome
4

Similar Publications

Regulated sequential exocytosis of neutrophil granules is essential in orchestrating the innate immune response, while uncontrolled secretion causes inflammation. We developed and characterized Nexinhib20, a small-molecule inhibitor that targets azurophilic granule exocytosis in neutrophils by blocking the interaction between the small GTPase Rab27a and its effector JFC1. Its therapeutic potential has been demonstrated in several pre-clinical models of inflammatory disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Growth hormone-releasing hormone signaling and manifestations within the cardiovascular system.

Rev Endocr Metab Disord

January 2025

Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 N.W. 10th Avenue, Room 908, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH), a hypothalamic peptide initially characterized for its role in GH regulation, has gained increasing attention due to its GH-independent action on peripheral physiology, including that of the cardiovascular system. While its effects on the peripheral vasculature are still under investigation, GHRH and synthetic agonists have exhibited remarkable receptor-mediated cardioprotective properties in preclinical models. GHRH and its analogs enhance myocardial function by improving contractility, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and offsetting pathological remodeling.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ghrelin suppresses water intake with a different physiological significance from atrial natriuretic peptide in conscious seawater-acclimated eels.

J Exp Biol

January 2025

Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan.

In general, ghrelin is known as one of the orexigenic hormones in mammals. On the other hand, it has been shown that ghrelin inhibits water intake, which appear to be inconsistent with its role in the feeding response. In this study, the effect of ghrelin on water intake was comprehensively addressed using conscious seawater-acclimated eels known as an experimental model for water drinking behaviour.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sucrose-preferring gut microbes prevent host obesity by producing exopolysaccharides.

Nat Commun

January 2025

Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.

Commensal bacteria affect host health by producing various metabolites from dietary carbohydrates via bacterial glycometabolism; however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we identified Streptococcus salivarius as a unique anti-obesity commensal bacterium. We found that S.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

(PN) root is a renowned nutritional supplement, health food additive, and traditional medicine that maintains homeostasis within the human microcirculatory system. Notoginsenoside R1 (NG-R1), an active compound derived from PN root, has been reported to possess various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and angiogenic effects. However, NG-R1's pharmacokinetic properties and pharmacological activities have not been systematically elucidated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!