SGLT2 inhibition decreases oxygen consumption and increases oxygen tension in diabetic rats

Introduction Diabetes is a major cause of chronic kidney disease. Recent data reports that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, empagliflozin (EMPA), slows down the progression of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here we investigate the effects of empagliflozin on kidney function, renal oxygen tension and oxygen consumption in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (type 1 diabetes mellitus) to understand the underlying protective mechanism of empagliflozin on kidney disease. Method Age-matched male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, control+EMPA (30 mg/kg/day oral gavage), diabetes, and diabetes+EMPA. Two weeks later, GFR was estimated by clearance of 3H-inulin. Total renal blood flow (RBF) was measured using an ultrasound probe placed around the left renal artery. Blood gas parameters and total oxygen consumption were analyzed on samples drawn from the left renal vein and femoral artery. In another set of experiments, intrarenal oxygen tension was me...