Empagliflozin Alleviates Changes in Renal Expression of E- and N-Cadherins in Mice with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The content of E- and N-cadherins, components of cell-cell interactions and markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition was assessed by Western blotting in the kidneys of db/db mice (a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus). Lower E-cadherin and higher N-cadherin expression were observed in the renal cortex and medulla of db/db mice receiving a placebo in comparison with the control db/+ mice (p < 0.05). These changes were associated with tubular atrophy. Animals treated with sodium/glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin were characterized by higher E-cadherin and lower N-cadherin expression in the renal cortex and medulla in comparison with the placebo group (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate an association between the effect of SGLT2 inhibitor and less pronounced changes in cadherin expression in a model of diabetic kidney disease.