The Role of Dapagliflozin in the Modulation of Hypothermia and Renal Injury Caused by Septic Shock in Euglycemic and Hyperglycemic Rat Models.

Background: Recent research has validated the efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in reducing glucose levels and exerting a nephroprotective role.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of dapagliflozin in preventing sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and related consequences. The study used both normal and diabetic rat models to investigate whether the effectiveness of dapagliflozin is influenced by glycemia levels.

Methods: Normal and diabetic Wistar albino rats were treated with dapagliflozin for two weeks and then received a single dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After sepsis induction, skin and deep body temperatures were recorded every two hours. Blood and kidneys were collected for analysis using histological examination and biochemical assays.

Results: Dapagliflozin attenuated the consequences of sepsis through mitigation of LPS-induced hypothermia and AKI in the normal and diabetic septic groups. Dapagliflozin regulated the serum levels of AKI markers, including creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, as well as ion levels. Dapagliflozin attenuated LPS-induced AKI through modulation of renal inflammation and oxidative stress, which showed well-abundant glomeruli. These results indicated the protective effect of dapagliflozin against LPS-induced hypothermia and AKI, which was likely unrelated to its glucose-lowering properties, as evidenced in the non-diabetic septic group.

Conclusion: The outcomes suggest that dapagliflozin has a potential impact in preventing sepsis-induced hypothermia and AKI via modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress, irrespective of glycemic levels.