Empagliflozin Attenuates Cardiac Dysfunction in Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome: Evaluating Role of the Cardiac Renin–Angiotensin System Publisher



Ghasemi Tarie R ; Esteghamati A ; Rakhshan K ; Esteghamati S ; Keshavarz M
Source: Biomedicines Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Cardiometabolic syndrome is a cardiovascular disease characterized by metabolic dysregulation, with obesity triggering overactivation of the cardiac Renin–Angiotensin System (RAS). This leads to pathological cardiac changes and dysfunction. Empagliflozin (EMPA) modulates local RAS components in the kidney and liver, but its role in regulating cardiac RAS needs further study. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were separated into the following two groups: (1) control and (2) metabolic syndrome (MS) fed a high-fat diet, and after 8 weeks, half of each group was treated with EMPA (10 mg/kg) for 8 subsequent weeks. Finally, the animals underwent echocardiography, and under sodium thiopental anesthesia, blood samples were taken for FBS and lipid profile measurement. Finally, the left ventricle was isolated and used to measure the levels of proteins in the RAS pathway, including AngII (Angiotensin2), AT1R (Angiotensin2type1receptor), AT2R (Angiotensin2type2 receptor), and downstream pathway proteins pERK1/2 (Phosphorylated Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase1/2), NHE1 (Na+/H+ Exchanger1), NCX (Na+/Ca2+Exchanger), and NLRP3 (NOD-like-receptor-protein3) by Western blot, as well as ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels by ELISA. Results: EMPA treatment in MS significantly decreased FBS, TG, and LDL, increased HDL, and improved cardiac function. It was also associated with increased AT2R expression and attenuation of AngII, AT1R, pERK1/2–NHE1–NCX signaling, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers (ROS and NLRP3) in rats with MS. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that EMPA treatment is associated with improvement in selected local cardiac RAS components and modulation of the pERK1/2–NHE1–NCX signaling pathway, along with reduced oxidative stress, decreased inflammation, and improved cardiac function in MS. © 2026 by the authors.