ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect of empagliflozin on diabetic kidney disease in db/db mice and the potential mechanisms.Methods:db/db mice were randomly divided into db/db group and Empa group. C57BL/6J mice were used as normal control group. We measured the level of serum biochemistry and inflammatory cytokines. Pathological changes of kidney were observed by pathological staining. The protein expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected.Results:Compared with db/db group, the level of fasting blood glucose, blood lipids, serum biochemistry, and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio in Empa group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). HE staining and Masson staining showed that empagliflozin could significantly improve glomerular pyknosis and renal interstitial fibrosis in db/db mice. Meanwhile, the expressions of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, and GSDMD protein were down-regulated ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Empagliflozin improves kidney damage in diabetic model mice, and the possible mechanism is to inhibit the cell pyroptosis signal pathway of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD.