SGLT2 Inhibition for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chronic Kidney Disease, and NAFLD

A critical review on SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetes mellitus, renal health, and cardiovascular conditions

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were originally formulated to reduce blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes. Recent clinical trials indicate that this compound can be repurposed for other critical conditions. A literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, utilizing key terms such as SGLT2i, diabetes, and oxidative stress. SGLT2i has significant beneficial effects not only in cardiovascular disease but also in renal dysfunction. SGLT2i therapy can mitigate critical cardiovascular complications like heart attacks, strokes, mortality rates, and hospitalization duration, as well as delay the necessity for dialysis irrespective of diabetic condition. Evidence supports potential advantages of SGLT2 inhibitors for individuals with renal problems and heart failure, regardless of diabetes status. In addition to diabetic mellitus, this analysis explores the latest updates on SGLT2i and the therapeutic advantages it offers in many renal and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Dapagliflozin suppressed gastric cancer growth via regulating OTUD5 mediated YAP1 deubiquitination

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant disease that has a fifth highest incidence and fourth highest mortality worldwide. The Warburg effect is a common phenomenon observed in tumors, which suggests that tumor cells would enhance glucose uptake by overexpressing multiple glucose transporters. Sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) is one of glucose transporters which highly expressed in several cancers, but its role in gastric cancer is still unclear. Our research found that there was a high expression level of SGLT2 in gastric cancer tissues. We found that Dapagliflozin (a SGLT2 inhibitor) could suppress gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. In present study, we revealed how dapagliflozin would suppress gastric cancer progression in a novel mechanism. We proved that dapagliflozin decreased the expression level of OTU deubiquitinase 5 (OTUD5), which further increased the ubiquitination and degradation of YAP1. Overexpression of OTUD5 in gastric cancer cells partly reversed the anti-tumor effect of dapagliflozin. Our findings revealed a novel mechanism by which dapagliflozin has an antitumor effect on gastric cancer and proposed a beneficial strategy for the application of dapagliflozin in gastric cancer patients.

Relationship between liver and cardiometabolic health in type 1 diabetes

Introduction

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic condition marked by insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia, with an increasing global incidence, particularly among children. Despite improvements in diabetes management, individuals with T1D continue to experience higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of mortality in this population. Traditional CVD risk factors such as dyslipidemia and poor glycemic control are insufficient to fully explain the elevated risk in T1D, prompting further investigation into additional factors. Emerging evidence suggests that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) plays a critical role in this heightened CVD risk.

Objective

This narrative review aims to explore the relationship between MASLD and CVD in individuals with T1D. The review focuses on the prevalence of MASLD, its contributing risk factors, and the potential impact of liver dysfunction on cardiovascular outcomes in this population.

Methods

A review of existing literature was conducted, focusing on observational studies, cohort studies, and meta-analyses that investigate the prevalence of MASLD in T1D populations and its association with CVD. The review also examines the physiological mechanisms linking MASLD and CVD, including insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, and hepatic dyslipidemia. Key studies were evaluated to identify patterns in MASLD prevalence based on diagnostic modalities and to assess the independent contribution of MASLD to cardiovascular risk in T1D patients.

Conclusion

MASLD is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to CVD in individuals with T1D, particularly in those with shared risk factors like obesity and insulin resistance. Evidence suggests that MASLD exacerbates hepatic and systemic metabolic dysfunction, increasing CVD risk through mechanisms such as chronic inflammation and atherogenic lipid profiles. Routine liver health assessments and tailored management strategies targeting MASLD should be incorporated into clinical care for individuals with T1D to mitigate long-term cardiovascular complications.

The effect of ertugliflozin in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease associated with liver inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis and is associated with a greater risk of hepatocarcinoma. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a persistent and progressive form of NAFLD. Recent evidence suggested that ertugliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2), suppresses NAFLD development in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this study was to determine the impact of ertugliflozin on improving NAFLD in patients with T2DM and the function of liver enzymes.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, interventional study aimed to determine the effectiveness of 15 mg of ertugliflozin versus 30 mg of the standard therapy pioglitazone versus placebo in NAFLD patients with T2DM. The study was established based on patient randomization in three groups: ertugliflozin, pioglitazone, and a placebo. This study was registered under the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (Trial ID: ACTRN12624000032550).

RESULTS

The impact of therapy was determined in the treatment groups by utilizing liver ultrasonography and biochemical parameters. After 24 weeks of clinical study, the results revealed significant improvement in the grades of fatty liver, especially in the ertugliflozin group. The number of patients with hepatic steatosis significantly decreased among the respective groups classified according to fatty liver grade. Among patients in the ertugliflozin and pioglitazone groups, 45% to 23.4% and 41.7% to 26.6%, respectively, decreased in the Grade 2 group. The aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in all the study groups, especially in the ertugliflozin group (P ≤ .001).

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that the concomitant use of ertugliflozin has favorable effects on liver enzymes, as it decreases liver fat intake and reduces complications in patients with NAFLD-associated T2DM. However, more in-depth studies will be required to observe every aspect of ertugliflozin.

The gut-liver axis: emerging mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), more appropriately known as metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a prevalent condition in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, is a complex condition involving hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation, and liver fibrosis. The gut-liver axis is closely linked to metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress that are leading to the cooccurrence of MAFLD and T2DM cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The purpose of this review is to raise awareness about the role of the gut-liver axis in the progression of MAFLD, T2DM and CVDs with a critical analysis of available treatment options for T2DM and MAFLD and their impact on cardiovascular health. This study analysed over 100 articles on this topic, using online searches and predefined keywords, to understand and summarise published research. Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between gut dysfunction, particularly the gut microbiota and its metabolites, and the occurrence and progression of MAFLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Herein, this article also examines the impact of the gut-liver axis on MAFLD, T2DM, and related complications, focusing on the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in insulin resistance, T2DM and obesity-related cardiovascular complications. The study suggests potential treatment targets for MAFLD linked to T2DM, focusing on cardiovascular outcomes and the molecular mechanism of the gut-liver axis, as gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to obesity-related metabolic abnormalities.

Empagliflozin rescues lifespan and liver senescence in naturally aged mice

Empagliflozin is currently known to decrease blood glucose levels, delay renal failure, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes with cardiovascular disease. However, the effects of empagliflozin on the lifespan and health of naturally aged organisms are unclear. This study was designed to investigate the impacts and potential mechanisms of empagliflozin on lifespan and liver senescence in naturally aged mice. Our study revealed that empagliflozin improved survival and health in naturally aged mice. Empagliflozin extended the median survival of male mice by 5.9%. Meanwhile, empagliflozin improved learning memory and motor balance, decreased body weight, and downregulated the hepatic protein expression of P21, P16, α-SMA, and COL1A1. Empagliflozin modulates the structure of the intestinal flora, increasing the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Lactobacillus, Blautia, and Muribaculaceae and decreasing the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae, Turicibacter, and Dubosiella in naturally aged mice. Further exploration discovered that empagliflozin increased the concentration of SCFAs, decreased the levels of the inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and CXCL9, and regulated the PI3K/AKT/P21 and AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB pathways, which may represent the underlying mechanisms involved in these beneficial hepatic effects. Taken together, the above results indicated that empagliflozin intervention could be considered a potential strategy for extending lifespan and slowing liver senescence in naturally aged mice.

Dapagliflozin: A Promising Strategy to Combat Cisplatin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Recognizing the challenges posed by chemotherapy, specifically the hepatotoxic effects of drugs like cisplatin, this study aimed to examine the hepatoprotective potential of dapagliflozin to mitigate cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model. This study focused on repurposing drugs such as dapagliflozin and natural agents like silymarin as potential interventions to address cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty adult female Wistar rats were distributed into five groups and treated with cisplatin alone, silymarin, dapagliflozin, or a combination of dapagliflozin and silymarin accordingly for 45 days. Body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, liver function tests, and histopathological analysis were conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects. Cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity significantly (p < 0.05) increased the serum levels of ALT, AST, TB, and reduced the TP and albumin levels. Dapagliflozin administration led to significant reductions in ALT, AST, TB, and increased albumin levels. Silymarin demonstrated comparable effects. Combining dapagliflozin and silymarin showed synergistic effects, further reducing the liver enzymes and improving albumin levels. Histopathological examination supported these findings, revealing the restoration of liver structure with dapagliflozin and silymarin treatment. Dapagliflozin and silymarin exhibited substantial hepatoprotective benefits against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The combination therapy demonstrated synergistic effects, highlighting a potential therapeutic approach for mitigating chemotherapy-induced liver damage. Further research into molecular mechanisms and clinical translation is warranted, offering hope for improved clinical outcomes in cancer patients undergoing cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

The current landscape of antifibrotic therapy across different organs: A systematic approach

Fibrosis is a common pathological process that can affect virtually all the organs, but there are hardly any effective therapeutic options. This has led to an intense search for antifibrotic therapies over the last decades, with a great number of clinical assays currently underway. We have systematically reviewed all current and recently finished clinical trials involved in the development of new antifibrotic drugs, and the preclinical studies analyzing the relevance of each of these pharmacological strategies in fibrotic processes affecting tissues beyond those being clinically studied. We analyze and discuss this information with the aim of determining the most promising options and the feasibility of extending their therapeutic value as antifibrotic agents to other fibrotic conditions.

MAFLD Pandemic: Updates in Pharmacotherapeutic Approach Development

With around one billion of the world's population affected, the era of the metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) pandemic has entered the global stage. MAFLD is a chronic progressive liver disease with accompanying metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity which can progress asymptomatically to liver cirrhosis and subsequently to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and for which to date there are almost no approved pharmacologic options. Because MAFLD has a very complex etiology and it also affects extrahepatic organs, a multidisciplinary approach is required when it comes to finding an effective and safe active substance for MAFLD treatment. The optimal drug for MAFLD should diminish steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation in the liver, and the winner for MAFLD drug authorisation seems to be the one that significantly improves liver histology. Saroglitazar (Lipaglyn®) was approved for metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in India in 2020; however, the drug is still being investigated in other countries. Although the pharmaceutical industry is still lagging behind in developing an approved pharmacologic therapy for MAFLD, research has recently intensified and many molecules which are in the final stages of clinical trials are expected to be approved in the coming few years. Already this year, the first drug (Rezdiffra™) in the United States was approved via accelerated procedure for treatment of MAFLD, i.e., of MASH in adults. This review underscores the most recent information related to the development of drugs for MAFLD treatment, focusing on the molecules that have come furthest towards approval.

ATP Citrate Lyase Supports Cardiac Function and NAD+/NADH Balance And Is Depressed in Human Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) converts citrate into acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate in the cytosol. It plays a prominent role in lipogenesis and fat accumulation coupled to excess glucose, and its inhibition is approved for treating hyperlipidemia. In RNAseq analysis of human failing myocardium, we found ACLY gene expression is reduced; however the impact this might have on cardiac function and/or metabolism has not been previously studied. As new ACLY inhibitors are in development for cancer and other disorders, such understanding has added importance.

METHODS

Cardiomyocytes, ex-vivo beating hearts, and in vivo hearts with ACLY inhibited by selective pharmacologic (BMS303141, ACLYi) or genetic suppression, were studied. Regulation of ACLY gene/protein expression, and effects of ACLYi on function, cytotoxicity, tricarboxylic acid (TCA)-cycle metabolism, and redox and NAD+/NADH balance were assessed. Mice with cardiac ACLY knockdown induced by AAV9-acly-shRNA or cardiomyocyte tamoxifen-inducible Acly knockdown were studied.

RESULTS

Acly gene expression was reduced more in obese patients with heart failure and preserved EF (HFpEF) than HF with reduced EF. In vivo pressure-overload and in vitro hormonal stress increased ACLY protein expression, whereas it declined upon fatty-acid exposure. Acute ACLYi (1-hr) dose-dependently induced cytotoxicity in adult and neonatal cardiomyocytes, and caused substantial reduction of systolic and diastolic function in myocytes and ex-vivo beating hearts. In the latter, ATP/ADP ratio also fell and lactate increased. U13C-glucose tracing revealed an ACLYdependent TCA-bypass circuit in myocytes, where citrate generated in mitochondria is transported to the cytosol, metabolized by ACLY and then converted to malate to re-enter mitochondria,bypassing several NADH-generating steps. ACLYi lowered NAD+/NADH ratio and restoring this balance ameliorated cardiomyocyte toxicity. Oxidative stress was undetected with ACLYi. Adult hearts following 8-weeks of reduced cardiac and/or cardiomyocyte ACLY downregulation exhibited ventricular dilation and reduced function that was prevented by NAD augmentation. Cardiac dysfunction from ACLY knockdown was worse in hearts subjected to sustained pressureoverload, supporting a role in stress responses.

CONCLUSIONS

ACLY supports normal cardiac function through maintenance of the NAD+/NADH balance and is upregulated by hemodynamic and hormonal stress, but depressed by lipid excess. ACLY levels are most reduced in human HFpEF with obesity potentially worsening cardio-metabolic reserve.

Evaluation of MASLD Fibrosis, FIB-4 and APRI Score in MASLD Combined with T2DM and MACCEs Receiving SGLT2 Inhibitors Treatment

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between Sodium Glucose Co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) treatment and fibrosis in patients with Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) combined with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events (MACCEs).

Methods

A case-control study was conducted, involving 280 patients with MASLD combined with T2DM treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2014 to October 2023. Among these patients, 135 received SGLT2i treatment. The association between the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and the occurrence of MACCEs, as well as the association between the Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) scores and MACCEs, were evaluated.

Results

The FIB-4 index and APRI scores were significantly lower in the SGLT2i treatment group compared to the non-SGLT2i group (1.59 vs 1.25, P<0.001). SGLT2i treatment tended to reduce the occurrence of MACCEs compared to non-SGLT2i treatment (45.5% vs 38.5%, P=0.28). All patients who developed MACCEs in the non-SGLT2i treatment group had higher FIB-4 index (1.83 vs 1.35, P=0.003). Additionally, after SGLT2i treatment for a median duration of 22 months, patients showed significant reductions in blood glucose, APRI, and FIB-4 index.

Conclusion

SGLT2i treatment significantly reduces the occurrence of MACCEs and liver fibrosis in patients with MASLD combined with T2DM. The FIB-4 index may serve as a potential surrogate marker for predicting the occurrence of MACCEs.

Influence of early use of sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors on the legacy effect of hyperglycemia

Background

A phenomenon known as legacy effect was observed that poor glycemic control at early stage of patients with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases the risk of subsequent cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Early use of some novel anti-hyperglycemic agents, such as sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i), may attenuate this effect, but the evidence is limited.

Methods

Two retrospective cohorts of newly diagnosed T2D patients from 2010-2023 were assembled using the Yinzhou Regional Health Care Database (YRHCD) with different definitions of the early exposure period - the 1-year exposure cohort and 2-year exposure cohort, which were comprised of subjects who had HbA1c measurement data within 1 year and 2 years after their T2D diagnosis, respectively. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we examined the association between high HbA1c level (HbA1c>7%) during the early exposure period and the risk of subsequent CVD. This analysis was performed in the overall cohort and three subpopulations with different treatments during the early exposure period, including patients initiating SGLT-2i or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), patients using dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), and patients without using SGLT-2i, GLP-1RA, and DPP-4i. Besides, subgroup analyses were performed by stratifying patients into age <55 and ≥55 years.

Results

A total of 21,477 and 22,493 patients with newly diagnosed T2D were included in the two final cohorts. Compared with patients with mean HbA1c ≤ 7% during the early exposure period, those with HbA1c>7% had higher risks of incident CVD, with a HR of 1.165 (95%CI, 1.056-1.285) and 1.143 (95%CI, 1.044-1.252) in 1-year and 2-year exposure period cohort. Compared to non-users, in patients initiating SGLT-2i/GLP-1RA within 1 or 2 years after T2D diagnosis, higher HbA1c level at baseline was not associated with CVD in both two cohorts. In subgroup analyses, results were generally consistent with the main analysis.

Conclusions

Poor glycemic control in the early stage of T2D increased later CVD risk in Chinese adults with newly diagnosed T2D. Compared to non-users, this association was smaller and non-significant in patients receiving SGLT-2i/GLP-1RA during the early stage of T2D, indicating early use of these drugs may have the potential to mitigate legacy effects of hyperglycemia.

A revisit of drugs and potential therapeutic targets against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: learning from clinical trials

PURPOSE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease, with a worldwide prevalence of 25%. Although numerous clinical trials have been conducted over the last few decades, an effective treatment has not been approved yet. Extensive research has accumulated a large amount of data and experience; however, the vast number of clinical trials and new therapeutic targets for NAFLD make it impossible to keep abreast of the relevant information. Therefore, a systematic analysis of the existing trials is necessary.

METHODS

Here, we reviewed clinical trials on NAFLD registered in the mandated federal database, ClinicalTrials.gov, to generate a detailed overview of the trials related to drugs and therapeutic targets for NAFLD treatment. Following screening for pertinence to therapy, a total of 440 entries were identified that included active trials as well as those that have already been completed, suspended, terminated, or withdrawn.

RESULTS

We summarize and systematically analyze the state, drug development pipeline, and discovery of treatment targets for NAFLD. We consider possible factors that may affect clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we discussed these results to explore the mechanisms responsible for clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

We summarised the landscape of current clinical trials and suggested the directions for future NAFLD therapy to assist internal medicine specialists in treating the whole clinical spectrum of this highly prevalent liver disease.

XBP1-mediated transcriptional regulation of SLC5A1 in human epithelial cells in disease conditions

BACKGROUND

Sodium-Glucose cotransporter 1 and 2 (SGLT1/2) belong to the family of glucose transporters, encoded by SLC5A1 and SLC5A2, respectively. SGLT2 is almost exclusively expressed in the renal proximal convoluted tubule cells. SGLT1 is expressed in the kidneys but also in other organs throughout the body. Many SGLT inhibitor drugs have been developed based on the mechanism of blocking glucose (re)absorption mediated by SGLT1/2, and several have gained major regulatory agencies' approval for treating diabetes. Intriguingly these drugs are also effective in treating diseases beyond diabetes, for example heart failure and chronic kidney disease. We recently discovered that SGLT1 is upregulated in the airway epithelial cells derived from patients of cystic fibrosis (CF), a devastating genetic disease affecting greater than 70,000 worldwide.

RESULTS

In the present work, we show that the SGLT1 upregulation is coupled with elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, indicated by activation of the primary ER stress senor inositol-requiring protein 1α (IRE1α) and the ER stress-induced transcription factor X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), in CF epithelial cells, and in epithelial cells of other stress conditions. Through biochemistry experiments, we demonstrated that the spliced form of XBP1 (XBP1s) acts as a transcription factor for SLC5A1 by directly binding to its promoter region. Targeting this ER stress → SLC5A1 axis by either the ER stress inhibitor Rapamycin or the SGLT1 inhibitor Sotagliflozin was effective in attenuating the ER stress response and reducing the SGLT1 level in these cellular model systems.

CONCLUSIONS

The present work establishes a causal relationship between ER stress and SGLT1 upregulation and provides a mechanistic explanation why SGLT inhibitor drugs benefit diseases beyond diabetes.

Elucidating the cardioprotective mechanisms of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors beyond glycemic control

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a pivotal intervention in diabetes management, offering significant cardiovascular benefits. Empagliflozin, in particular, has demonstrated cardioprotective effects beyond its glucose-lowering action, reducing heart failure hospitalizations and improving cardiac function. Of note, the cardioprotective mechanisms appear to be inde-pendent of glucose lowering, possibly mediated through several mechanisms involving shifts in cardiac metabolism and anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative pathways. This editorial summarizes the multifaceted cardiovascular advantages of SGLT2 inhibitors, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate their full therapeutic potential in cardiac care.

Molecular mechanism of empagliflozin cardioprotection in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced cardiotoxicity via modulation of SGLT2 and TNFα/TLR/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats

One of the commoly used chemotherapeutic agents is 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Unfortunately, the clinical administration of 5-FU is complicated with serious cardiotoxic effects and the safe use becomes an urgent task in cardio-oncology. Till now, there are no studies discussed the role of empagliflozin (EMP) against 5-FU cardiotoxicity. Thus, we investigated this effect and the involved mechanisms in 5-FU induced heart injury. Forty male rats of Wistar albino species were used and divided randomly into four groups. Group I is the control group, group II is EMP given group, group III is 5-FU cardiotoxic group and group IV is 5-FU plus EMP group. 5-FU (150 mg/kg) was administered as a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose on 1st day to induce cardiotoxicity with or without EMP (30 mg/kg/d) orally for 5 days. The dose of 5-FU is relevant to the human toxic dose. Our data showed that 5-FU given group caused cardiotoxicity with significant increase of serum cardiac enzymes, toll like receptors, enhancement of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin1β (IL1β), IL6, myeloid-differentiation-factor 88 (MYD88), heart weight, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha (TNFα), sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), P53 and caspase3 expression with clear histopathological features of cardiotoxicity. Moreover, there is a significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Interestingly, co-administration of EMP could ameliorate 5-FU induced biochemical and histopathological changes. This effect may be due to modulation of SGLT2, decreasing inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis with downregulation of an essential inflammatory cascade that mediates 5-FU cardiotoxicity; TNFα/TLR/NF-κB.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-023-00204-1.

Amlodipine alleviates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats through Nrf2/Sestrin2/PGC-1α/TFAM Pathway

BACKGROUND

Previously, observational studies showed that amlodipine can mitigate calcineurin inhibitor- and contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Herein, we aimed to measure the effect of amlodipine on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and find the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bilateral renal I/R was induced by clamping the hilum of both kidneys for 30 min. The first dose of amlodipine 10 mg/kg was gavaged before anesthesia. The second dose of amlodipine was administered 24 h after the first dose. Forty-eight hours after I/R, rats were anesthetized, and their blood and tissue specimens were collected.

RESULTS

Amlodipine significantly decreased the elevated serum levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and mitigated tissue damage in hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining. Amlodipine strongly reduced the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin 1β (IL1β), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Amlodipine enhanced antioxidant defense by upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Sestrin2. Furthermore, amlodipine significantly improved mitochondrial biogenesis by promoting Sestrin2/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC-1α)/mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) pathway. It also enhanced autophagy and attenuated apoptosis, evidenced by increased LC3-II/LC3-I and bcl2/bax ratios after renal I/R.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that amlodipine protects against renal I/R through Nrf2/Sestrin2/PGC-1α/TFAM Pathway.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of cardiovascular diseases: clinical association, pathophysiological mechanisms, and management

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction in genetically susceptible individuals due to over-nutrition and lack of exercise. With the prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, NAFLD has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD shares many risk factors with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). NAFLD is associated with increased risk of major cardiovascular events and other cardiac complications even after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The primary pathology of NAFLD is within the liver, but the most common cause of deaths in patients with NAFLD is CVDs. This review summarizes the epidemiological evidence for the association between NAFLD and CVD risk and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this association. Current treatment strategies for NAFLD and their potential impact on CVD risk are also discussed.

The Effect of Nanobubble Water Containing Cordyceps Extract and Withaferin A on Free Fatty Acid-Induced Lipid Accumulation in HepG2 Cells

Cordyceps extract and withaferin A (Wi-A) are natural compounds that have therapeutic effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, their efficacy is limited and a long treatment duration is usually required. To enhance their efficiency, the synergistic effects of nanobubble water (NBW) derived from nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen gases were investigated. Results showed that the physical properties of all three NBWs, including nanobubble density (108 particles/mL) and zeta potential (below -22 mV), were stable during 48 h of storage. Hydrogen and nitrogen NBWs did not reduce, but instead promoted, free fatty acid-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. In contrast, oxygen NBW synergistically enhanced the effects of cordyceps extract and Wi-A. The lipid content decreased by 29% and 33% in the oxygen NBW + cordyceps extract and oxygen NBW + Wi-A groups, respectively, compared to reductions of 22% and 16% by aqueous extracts without NB. This study found that NBW may enhance the lipid-reducing effects of natural compounds, such as cordyceps extract and withaferin A, in hepatic cells. Further studies in animal experiments are needed to determine whether NBW has a potential application in NAFLD.

Obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and therapeutic targets

Obesity is a global epidemic and overwhelming evidence indicates that it is a risk factor for numerous cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Obesity-associated hepatic tumorigenesis develops from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), progressing to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and ultimately to HCC. The rising incidence of obesity is resulting in an increased prevalence of NAFLD and NASH, and subsequently HCC. Obesity represents an increasingly important underlying etiology of HCC, in particular as the other leading causes of HCC such as hepatitis infection, are declining due to effective treatments and vaccines. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms and cellular signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated HCC. We summarize the preclinical experimental animal models available to study the features of NAFLD/NASH/HCC, and the non-invasive methods to diagnose NAFLD, NASH and early-stage HCC. Finally, since HCC is an aggressive tumor with a 5-year survival of less than 20%, we will also discuss novel therapeutic targets for obesity-associated HCC and ongoing clinical trials.

New insights into the molecular mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors on ventricular remodeling

Ventricular remodeling is a pathological process of ventricular response to continuous stimuli such as pressure overload, ischemia or ischemia-reperfusion, which can lead to the change of cardiac structure and function structure, which is central to the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) and is an established prognostic factor in patients with HF. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) get a new hypoglycemic drug that inhibit sodium glucose coconspirator on renal tubular epithelial cells. Recently, clinical trials increasingly and animal experiments increasingly have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors have been largely applied in the fields of cardiovascular diseases, forinstance heart failure, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes cardiomyopathy and other diseases play a cardiovascular protective role in addition to hypoglycemic. These diseases are association with ventricular remodeling. Inhibiting ventricular remodeling can improve the readmission rate and mortality of patients with heart failure. So far, clinical trials and animal experiments demonstrate that the protective effect of SGLT2 inhibitors in the cardiovascular field is bound to inhibit ventricular remodeling. Therefore, this review briefly investigates the molecular mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors on ameliorating ventricular remodeling, and further explore the mechanisms of cardiovascular protection of SGLT2 inhibitors, in order to establish strategies for ventricular remodeling to prevent the progress of heart failure.

Hyponatremia-related liver steatofibrosis and impaired spermatogenesis: evidence from a mouse model of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis

PURPOSE

Hyponatremia is the most frequent electrolytic disorder in clinical practice. In addition to neurological symptoms, hyponatremia, even when mild/moderate and chronic, has been related to other manifestations, such as bone demineralization and increased risk of fractures. To better elucidate tissue alterations associated with reduced serum sodium concentration [Na⁺], we developed an in vivo model of hyponatremia secondary to the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Hyponatremia was induced in Foxn1^nu/nu mice by subcutaneous infusion of the vasopressin analog 1-deamino [8-D-arginine] vasopressin (dDAVP) for 14 days via osmotic mini-pumps. Mice in the control group were infused with isotonic saline solution. Serum [Na⁺] progressively decreased, with a nadir of 123.4 ± 2.3 mEq/L (mean ± SD, dDAVP 0.3 ng/h) and 111.6 ± 4.7 mEq/L (mean ± SD, dDAVP 0.5 ng/h). Evident signs of liver steatofibrosis were observed at histology in hyponatremic mice. Accordingly, the expression of proteins involved in lipid metabolism (SREBP-1, PPARα and PPARγ) and in myofibroblast formation (αSMA and CTGF) significantly increased. Furthermore, heme oxygenase 1 expression was up-regulated in Kupffer and hepatic stellate cells in the liver of hyponatremic mice. Testis alterations were also observed. In particular, the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium appeared reduced. The expression levels of PCNA and PTMA, which are involved in DNA replication and germ cells maturation, were markedly reduced in the testis of hyponatremic mice.

CONCLUSION

Overall, these findings shed new light on the possible consequences of chronic hyponatremia and prompt a more thorough evaluation of hyponatremic patients.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with heart failure: A pool analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with a higher risk of heart failure (HF) than those without NAFLD. However, the prognostic impact of NAFLD in HF is still controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to explore the association between NAFLD and the risk of adverse outcomes in patients with HF.

METHODS

We searched multiple electronic databases (Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar) for potentially related studies up to June 30, 2022. Cohort studies reported multivariable adjusted relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of adverse outcomes in HF patients with NAFLD comparing those without NAFLD were included for analysis.

RESULTS

A total of six studies involving 12,374 patients with HF were included for analysis, with a median follow-up duration of 2.5 years. The pooled analysis showed that HF patients with NAFLD were associated with a significantly increased risk of major composite adverse outcomes (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.25-2.07), all-cause mortality (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.39-1.98), and HF hospitalization or re-hospitalization (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.03-2.86).

CONCLUSION

NAFLD is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with HF. Effective screening and treatment strategies are needed to improve the prognosis in HF patients with NAFLD.

Utilizing type 2 diabetes medications outside glycemic parameters - where are we headed?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Glucose-lowering medications have become strong choices for purposes beyond glucose control in both patients with and without type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have explored the use of specific glucose-lowering therapies in areas such as cardiovascular disease, renal disease, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and Alzheimer's disease, among others. This begs the question if glycemic parameters should be the sole criteria utilized for initiation of diabetes therapeutic agents.

RECENT FINDINGS

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in particular have demonstrated significant benefits beyond glucose control, with each demonstrating improvement, to various extent, on cardiovascular and renal outcomes, disease-modifying weight loss, progression from prediabetes, and treatment of NAFLD by ameliorating inflammation.

SUMMARY

Clinical practice guidelines have been updated to reflect the use of these medications to achieve cardiometabolic, renal, and weight goals in addition to glycemic control. The success of glucose-lowering medications in the aforementioned areas have informed the research pursuits in investigating these agents for their anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and lipotoxic reduction effects in other diseases entirely.

Understanding NAFLD: From Case Identification to Interventions, Outcomes, and Future Perspectives

While non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent and frequent cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality, it is also strongly associated with cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality, likely driven by its associations with insulin resistance and other manifestations of metabolic dysregulation. However, few satisfactory pharmacological treatments are available for NAFLD due in part to its complex pathophysiology, and challenges remain in stratifying individual patient's risk for liver and cardiovascular disease related outcomes. In this review, we describe the development and progression of NAFLD, including its pathophysiology and outcomes. We also describe different tools for identifying patients with NAFLD who are most at risk of liver-related and cardiovascular-related complications, as well as current and emerging treatment options, and future directions for research.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and mental illness: Mechanisms linking mood, metabolism and medicines

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the world and one of the leading indications for liver transplantation. It is one of the many manifestations of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome as well as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There is growing evidence linking the incidence of NAFLD with psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression mechanistically via genetic, metabolic, inflammatory and environmental factors including smoking and psychiatric medications. Indeed, patients prescribed antipsychotic medications, regardless of diagnosis, have higher incidence of NAFLD than population norms. The mechanistic pharmacology of antipsychotic-associated NAFLD is beginning to emerge. In this review, we aim to discuss the pathophysiology of NAFLD including its risk factors, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation as well as its intersection with psychiatric illnesses.

Oxidative Stress Management in Cardiorenal Diseases: Focus on Novel Antidiabetic Agents, Finerenone, and Melatonin

Oxidative stress is characterized by excessive production of reactive oxygen species together with exhausted antioxidant defenses. This constitutes a main pathophysiologic process that is implicated in cardiovascular and renal diseases. In particular, enhanced oxidative stress may lead to low-density lipoprotein accumulation and oxidation, endothelial cell activation, adhesion molecule overexpression, macrophage activation, and foam cell formation, promoting the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The deleterious kidney effects of oxidative stress are numerous, including podocytopathy, mesangial enlargement, renal hypertrophy, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and glomerulosclerosis. The prominent role of oxidative mechanisms in cardiorenal diseases may be counteracted by recently developed pharmacotherapies such as novel antidiabetic agents and finerenone. These agents have demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in preclinical and clinical studies. Moreover, the use of melatonin as a treatment in this field has been experimentally investigated, with large-scale clinical studies being awaited. Finally, clinical implications and future directions in this field are presented.

Old and new classes of glucose-lowering agents as treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A narrative review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease with a global prevalence of about 55% in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM, obesity and NAFLD are three closely inter-related pathological conditions. In addition, T2DM is one of the strongest clinical risk factors for the faster progression of NAFLD to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Increasing evidence suggests that newer classes of glucose-lowering drugs, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, could reduce the rates of NAFLD progression. This narrative review aims to briefly summarize the recent results from randomized controlled trials testing the efficacy and safety of old and new glucose-lowering drugs for the treatment of NAFLD or NASH in adults both with and without coexisting T2DM.

Targeted therapeutics and novel signaling pathways in non-alcohol-associated fatty liver/steatohepatitis (NAFL/NASH)

Non-alcohol-associated fatty liver/steatohepatitis (NAFL/NASH) has become the leading cause of liver disease worldwide. NASH, an advanced form of NAFL, can be progressive and more susceptible to developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, lifestyle interventions are the most essential and effective strategies for preventing and controlling NAFL without the development of fibrosis. While there are still limited appropriate drugs specifically to treat NAFL/NASH, growing progress is being seen in elucidating the pathogenesis and identifying therapeutic targets. In this review, we discussed recent developments in etiology and prospective therapeutic targets, as well as pharmacological candidates in pre/clinical trials and patents, with a focus on diabetes, hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Importantly, growing evidence elucidates that the disruption of the gut-liver axis and microbe-derived metabolites drive the pathogenesis of NAFL/NASH. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as a signaling mediator, resulting in lipid accumulation, macrophage and hepatic stellate cell activation, further promoting inflammation and liver fibrosis progression during the development of NAFL/NASH. Targeting gut microbiota or EVs may serve as new strategies for the treatment of NAFL/NASH. Finally, other mechanisms, such as cell therapy and genetic approaches, also have enormous therapeutic potential. Incorporating drugs with different mechanisms and personalized medicine may improve the efficacy to better benefit patients with NAFL/NASH.

Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies Related to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the most common types of chronic liver disease, is strongly correlated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and genetic components. The pathological progression of NAFLD, consisting of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and liver cirrhosis, is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical phenotypes. Although patients with mild NAFL are considered to show no obvious clinical symptoms, patients with long-term NAFL may culminate in NASH and further liver fibrosis. Even though various drugs are able to improve NAFLD, there are no FDA-approved medications that directly treat NAFLD. In this paper, the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the potential therapeutic targets, and their underlying mechanisms of action were reviewed.

Cell-Target-Specific Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Empagliflozin: In Vitro Evidence in Human Cardiomyocytes

The antidiabetic sodium–glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) empagliflozin efficiently reduces heart failure (HF) hospitalization and cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Empagliflozin-cardioprotection likely includes anti-inflammatory effects, regardless glucose lowering, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Inflammation is a primary event in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and HF development. The interferon (IFN)γ-induced 10-kDa protein (IP-10/CXCL10), a T helper 1 (Th1)-type chemokine, promotes cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, and diseases, including DCM, ideally representing a therapeutic target. This preliminary study aims to explore whether empagliflozin directly affects Th1-challenged human cardiomyocytes, in terms of CXCL10 targeting. To this purpose, empagliflozin dose–response curves were performed in cultured human cardiomyocytes maintained within a Th1-dominant inflammatory microenvironment (IFNγ/TNFα), and CXCL10 release with the intracellular IFNγ-dependent signaling pathway (Stat-1) was investigated. To verify possible drug–cell-target specificity, the same assays were run in human skeletal muscle cells. Empagliflozin dose dependently inhibited CXCL10 secretion (IC50 = 76,14 × 10-9 M) in association with Stat-1 pathway impairment only in Th1-induced human cardiomyocytes, suggesting drug-selective cell-type-targeting. As CXCL10 plays multifaceted functions in cardiac remodeling toward HF and currently there is no effective method to prevent it, these preliminary data might be hypothesis generating to open new scenarios in the translational approach to SGLT2i-dependent cardioprotection.

Insights into Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation and Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) shows a high prevalence and is characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of renal function. It is also associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. The CKD population often suffers from atrial fibrillation (AF), which is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. There is a pernicious bidirectional relationship between CKD and AF: renal dysfunction can help promote AF initiation and maintenance, while unmanageable AF often accelerates kidney function deterioration. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the interactive mechanisms between CKD and AF for optimal management of patients. However, due to renal function impairment and changes in the pharmacokinetics of anticoagulants, it is still elusive to formulate a normative therapeutic schedule for the AF population concomitant with CKD especially those with end-stage kidney failure. This review describes the possible molecular mechanisms linking CKD to AF and existing therapeutic options.