The SGLT-2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin Has a Therapeutic Effect on Atherosclerosis in Diabetic ApoE−/−Mice

Background . Our study aimed to observe the effect of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin on diabetic atherosclerosis and investigate the subsequent mechanism. Methods . Aortic atherosclerosis was induced in streptozotocin induced diabetic ApoE −/− mice by feeding with high-fat diet, and dapagliflozin was administrated intragastrically for 12 weeks as treatment. Effects of dapagliflozin on indices of glucose and fat metabolism, IL-1 β , IL-18, NLRP3 protein levels, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. The atherosclerosis was evaluated by oil red O and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The effects of dapagliflozin on the IL-1 β production in culturing primary macrophages of wild type and NLRP3 −/− knockout mice were investigated for mechanism analyses. Results . Dapagliflozin treatment showed favorable effects on glucose and fat metabolism, partially reversed the formation of atherosclerosis, inhibited macrophage infiltration, and enhanced the stability of lesion. Also, reduced production of IL-1 β , IL-18, NLRP3 protein, and mitochondrial ROS in the aortic tissues was detected with dapagliflozin treatment. In vitro, NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by hyperglucose and hyperlipid through ROS pathway. Conclusions . Dapagliflozin may be of therapeutic potential for diabetic atherosclerosis induced by high-fat diet, and these benefits may depend on the inhibitory effect on the secretion of IL-1 β by macrophages via the ROS-NLRP3-caspase-1 pathway.