Effect of phlorizin on SGLT2 expression in the kidney of diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of our study was to determine whether increased SGLT2 expression in the kidney of diabetic rats was associated with the development of hypertension and to investigate the effect of phlorizin (P) on blood pressure and SGLT2 expression in diabetic rats.

METHODS

The animals were divided into two groups: Control (C) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic (D) rats were used to evaluate SGLT2 activity in brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) using a rapid filtration technique. Others animals were divided into two groups: Normal (NSD) or high salt diet (4%)(HSD), and subdivided in four groups: C, C+P, D, D+P. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded for 30 days by the use of a telemetric system and at day 30 urine samples (24 h) were collected to evaluate renal function and SGLT2 expression in the renal cortex.

RESULTS

At day 30, diabetic animals with NSD or HSD exhibited hyperglycemia, lower body weight, glycosuria, diuresis, decrease natriuresis, increased SBP values and SGLT2 expression. In diabetic rats, phlorizin treatment decreased hyperglycemia and prevented development of hypertension, decreased SGLT2 activity in BBMV but did not modify SGLT2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, SGLT2 inhibition prevented the development of hypertension in diabetic rats as well as hyperglycemia, suggesting a hypertensive mechanism associated with SGLT2 activity and the likelihood that increased SGLT2 expression may be associated with progression of diabetic renal complications.