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. 2022 Apr 22;179(16):4047–4062. doi: 10.1111/bph.15850

Amelioration of endothelial dysfunction by sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors: pieces of the puzzle explaining their cardiovascular protection

Xiaoling Li 1, Benedikt Preckel 1, Jeroen Hermanides 1, Markus W Hollmann 1, Coert J Zuurbier 1, Nina C Weber 1,✉
PMCID: PMC9545205  PMID: 35393687

Abstract

Sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2is) improve cardiovascular outcomes in both diabetic and non‐diabetic patients. Preclinical studies suggest that SGLT‐2is directly affect endothelial function in a glucose‐independent manner. The effects of SGLT‐2is include decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions in endothelial cells. Furthermore, SGLT2is restore endothelium‐related vasodilation and regulate angiogenesis. The favourable cardiovascular effects of SGLT‐2is could be mediated via a number of pathways: (1) inhibition of the overactive sodium‐hydrogen exchanger; (2) decreased expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases; (3) alleviation of mitochondrial injury; (4) suppression of inflammation‐related signalling pathways (e.g., by affecting NF‐κB); (5) modulation of glycolysis; and (6) recovery of impaired NO bioavailability. This review focuses on the most recent progress and existing gaps in preclinical investigations concerning the direct effects of SGLT‐2is on endothelial dysfunction and the mechanisms underlying such effects.

Keywords: endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, reactive oxygen species, sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors, sodium‐hydrogen exchanger

Abbreviations

AGEs

advanced glycation end products

Ang II

angiotensin II

CM

cardiomyocyte

CMEC

cardiac microvascular endothelial cell

DM

diabetes mellitus

EC

endothelial cell

HAEC

human aortic endothelial cell

HCAEC

human coronary artery endothelial cell

HF

heart failure

HFpEF

heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

HIF‐1α

hypoxia‐induced factor‐1α

HKII

hexokinase II

mtROS

mitochondrial reactive oxidative species

NCX

sodium‐calcium exchanger

NHE

sodium‐hydrogen exchanger

NOX

NAPDH oxidase

RAGE

receptor for advanced glycation end products

SFK

Src family of kinases

SGLT‐2is

sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors

SMC

smooth muscle cell

VE‐cadherin

vascular endothelial‐cadherin

1. INTRODUCTION

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) more frequently suffer from heart failure (HF), in particular heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), than individuals without DM (Seferovic et al., 2018). Sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2is), a novel class of glucose‐lowering drugs, significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in patients with existing HF, regardless of the presence of DM (Neal et al., 2017; Packer et al., 2020; Wiviott et al., 2019; Zinman et al., 2015). Treatment with empagliflozin also reduced the combined outcome of worsening HF, re‐hospitalization for HF and death for HF in patients with acute HF (Damman et al., 2020). Recently, the EMPEROR‐Preserved Phase III trial has established empagliflozin as the first potential therapy capable of improving cardiovascular outcome in patients suffering from HFpEF (Anker et al., 2021). The pharmacological characteristics of the SGLT‐2is discussed here are summarized in Table 1.

TABLE 1.

Pharmacological characteristics of SGLT‐2is

Structures (2D)

chemical structure image

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chemical structure image

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chemical structure image

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Mechanism • Reduce glucose re‐absorption in kidney via inhibiting the activity of SGLT‐2 in the proximal tubule, thereby lowering blood glucose in patients with diabetes
Physiological actions

• Glycosuria

• Weight loss

• Blood pressure reduction

Major benefits

• Decreased incidence of cardiovascular death

• Lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure

• Limited progression of chronic kidney disease

Adverse events

• Enhanced incidence of genital mycotic infections

• Development of euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis

• Increased risk of fracture and amputation in lower limb (CANA only)

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Note: Structures of SGLT‐2is are obtained from the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to PHARMACOLOGY (http://www.guidetopharmacology.org).

Abbreviations: CANA, canagliflozin; DAPA, dapagliflozin; EMPA, empagliflozin; SGLT‐2, sodium glucose co‐transporter 2.

Until today, the exact mechanisms underlying these ‘off‐target’ effects of SGLT‐2is remain largely unknown. Earlier studies highlighted the direct cardiac effects of SGLT‐2is (Kleinbongard et al., 2020; Packer, 2020), which are mediated by alleviation of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and Ca2+ overload of cardiomyocytes (CMs) (Trum et al., 2021; Uthman, Baartscheer, Schumacher, et al., 2018). The PROMIS‐HFpEF trial prospectively demonstrated a high prevalence of coronary microvascular disorder and systemic endothelial dysfunction in patients with HF (Shah et al., 2018). Endothelial cells (ECs) form a monolayer over the inner surface of blood vessels (Kruger‐Genge et al., 2019). In the adult human heart, ECs account for 12.2% of total cells within the arterial tissues and 7.8% within the ventricular regions (Litvinukova et al., 2020). Physiologically, ECs serve to maintain cardiovascular function by ensuring the production of endothelium‐derived vasoactive factors, preventing monocyte adhesion and platelet aggregation, regulating the proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) as well as the contraction and relaxation of CMs (Monteiro et al., 2019). In patients with diabetes, hyperglycaemia impairs endothelial function and ultimately causes the development of macrovascular and microvascular complications (Shi & Vanhoutte, 2017). Thus, ECs might serve as a novel target to improve cardiac function of patients with HF.

The SGLT‐2is are known to directly ameliorate endothelial dysfunction in both euglycaemic and hyperglycaemic conditions (Alshnbari et al., 2020; Durante et al., 2021; Salvatore et al., 2021) and that empagliflozin mitigates endothelial and cardiac dysfunction in patients with HFpEF via reducing inflammatory‐oxidative pathways (Kolijn et al., 2020). Our current review focuses on the potential role of improved endothelial function as a crucial contributor to the enhanced cardiac function in patients receiving SGLT‐2is. We will review the current data and most recent progress in preclinical investigations concerning the direct effects of SGLT‐2is on endothelial dysfunction, with the aim of improving the understanding of their marked cardiovascular effect in patients with HF.

2. SGLT‐2is INHIBIT REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES (ROS) PRODUCTION IN ECs

2.1. Mechanisms underlying the increased ROS production in ECs

At moderate concentrations, ROS play an important role in maintaining the proliferation and survival of ECs, but excessive levels of ROS have detrimental effects on the vascular system (Forstermann et al., 2017). In patients with DM, hyperglycaemia accelerates protein glycation, giving rise to the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) (Kay et al., 2016). These AGEs bind with cell surface receptors for AGEs (RAGE) to activate downstream signalling pathways, such as those involving ERK, and subsequently increase ROS production (Yuan et al., 2019). Excessive ROS also trigger nuclear poly ADP‐ribose polymerase, which inhibits activity of GADPH and activates the polyol pathway of glucose metabolism (Giri et al., 2018). This activated polyol pathway produces ROS, via depleting NADP+ and glutathione, as well as increasing the oxidation of NADPH, during the conversion of sorbitol to fructose. Inhibition of GADPH also accelerates the generation of diacylglycerol, subsequently activating PKC and stimulating NADPH oxidases (NOXs) to generate additional ROS (Yuan et al., 2019). Mitochondria are the central regulators for aerobic energy generation, and ROS are an essential by‐product of this process. Diabetes and hyperglycaemia disrupt the mitochondrial respiratory chain and alter mitochondrial ultrastructure (e.g., mitochondrial fission and fusion), thereby increasing the ROS production within mitochondria (Brownlee, 2001; Forrester et al., 2018). Hyperglycaemia up‐regulates both abundance and activity of the sodium‐hydrogen exchangers (NHE) within ECs (Klug et al., 2021). Activated NHE promotes the influx of Na+ and enhances intracellular Ca2+ levels, via triggering sodium‐calcium exchangers (NCX) (Baartscheer et al., 2017). Increased intracellular Na+ triggers the NCX and enhances Ca2+ influx into the cytosol. The increased cytosolic Ca2+ then stimulates the PKC–NOXs pathway, which further increases ROS production (Rastogi et al., 2016). Recently, Uthman et al. have directly shown the causal link between NHE activity and oxidative stress in ECs. The cytokine TNF‐α enhanced NHE activity and intracellular Na+, as well as ROS production, and the increased ROS generation was mitigated by cariporide, a potent inhibitor of NHE. The crucial role of the NHE/Na+ axis in inflammation‐related oxidative stress was further supported by the fact that sodium pump inhibitor ouabain increased intracellular Na+ and ROS production in human ECs (Uthman et al., 2022).

Excessive ROS increase vascular tone and undermine cardiac inotropic function, contributing to cardiomyopathy (Ritchie & Abel, 2020). Oxidative stress causes uncoupling of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and impairs NO production, the key endogenous vasodilator. ROS produced by NOXs also oxidize the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium transport ATPase (SERCA) and limit the sensitivity of SMC to NO (Griendling et al., 2021). Besides, ROS induce vascular stiffness via up‐regulating the expression of vasoactive factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and extracellular proteins such as matrix metalloproteinases (Griendling et al., 2021). Vascular remodelling elevates blood pressure and increases the intensity of cyclic stretch caused by cycles of vasoconstriction‐dilation (Ohishi, 2018). Enhanced stretch might exacerbate oxidative stress via up‐regulating expression of NOXs in ECs, further increasing ROS production within ECs (Li et al., 2021). Besides, oscillatory shear stress created by disturbed blood flow also induces oxidative stress in ECs via activating NOXs (Siu et al., 2016).

Depletion of NO is a crucial mediator of ROS‐related cardiac dysfunction (Shah et al., 2021). EC‐derived NO triggers soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) to generate cGMP and activate PKG in adjacent CMs. Stimulation of PKG then leads to the phosphorylation of troponin I and reduction of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, thus enhancing myocardial relaxation in both isolated CMs and whole hearts (Feil et al., 2021; Król & Kepinska, 2021). Activation of the NO/sGC/cGMP/PKG signalling pathway also maintains phosphorylation of titin within CMs and prevents the development of cardiac hypertrophy (Shah et al., 2021). Moreover, oxidative stress leads to increased secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from ECs, as well as up‐regulated expression of adhesion molecules and enhanced monocyte‐endothelial attachment (Yuan et al., 2019). Intensified ROS production activates the Src family of kinases (SFK) to phosphorylate vascular endothelial‐cadherin (VE‐cadherin), leading to VE‐cadherin internalization and disruption of adherens junctions. Activated SFK also promotes the transformation from G actin to F actin to generate stress fibres under the cellular membrane, increasing the intracellular tension (Zhang et al., 2017). ROS are also involved in the endothelial dysfunction induced by stretch and oscillatory shear stress through intracellular cascades, such as p38 MAPK, ERK, JNK and the transcription factor NF‐κB (Lehoux, 2006). The pivotal role of EC‐derived ROS in development of cardiovascular disease is summarized in Figure 1.

FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 1

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The pivotal role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial dysfunction and CM hypertrophy. In patients with diabetes, hyperglycaemia along with inflammatory reaction, enhanced cyclic stretch and oscillatory shear stress, increases production of ROS in endothelial cells (ECs). ROS trigger vascular inflammation via activating multiple downstream pathways, including the kinases ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK, as well as by increasing the expression of NF‐κB. Excessive ROS induce uncoupling of eNOS and loss of NO bioavailability of endothelial cells. The latter results in the inactivation of the PKG–cGMP signalling and hypo‐phosphorylation of titin in adjacent cardiomyocytes (CM), thereby promoting CM hypertrophy. Increased ROS production promotes the formation of F‐actin stress fibre and vascular endothelial (VE)‐cadherin internalization via activating Src family kinases (SFK), leading to the disruption of adherens junction (created with Biorender.com)

2.2. Anti‐oxidative effect of SGLT‐2is

Mounting evidence reveals a class effect of ROS inhibition for SGLT‐2is. In vivo studies showed that ipragliflozin decreased urinary 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (a marker for DNA oxidative injury) in hyperglycaemic mice (Salim et al., 2016), and dapagliflozin attenuated elevated vascular ROS generation in aortic atherosclerotic tissues of diabetic mice (Leng et al., 2016). However, it might be considered that these observed ROS inhibitory effects of SGLT‐2is were mediated by the decreased blood glucose in mice with diabetes.

Live cell imaging suggested that SGLT‐2is directly inhibited inflammation‐stimulated ROS production within human ECs from both venous and arterial vessels (Uthman et al., 2019). Two other studies showed that empagliflozin reduced ROS production within cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) exposed to pro‐inflammatory cytokines and uraemic acid (Juni et al., 2019, 2021). By preventing ROS accumulation within ECs, empagliflozin restored NO bioavailability in co‐cultured CMs, indicating that the ROS inhibitory capacity of SGLT‐2is contributes to the improvement of contraction and relaxation of adjacent CMs through an endothelial‐NO pathway (Juni et al., 2019, 2021). Cellular senescence is another characteristic of diabetes‐related endothelial dysfunction, which is promoted by hyperglycaemia‐induced oxidative stress. Previous studies suggested that empagliflozin (0.1–100 nM) efficiently prevented senescence of porcine ECs exposed to high glucose, probably by inhibiting NOX‐ and cyclooxygenase‐mediated ROS generation (Khemais‐Benkhiat et al., 2020). Accordingly, the NOX inhibitor VAS‐2870 and empagliflozin abolished the increased endothelial senescence induced by high glucose and angiotensin II (Ang II) (Khemais‐Benkhiat et al., 2020; Park et al., 2021). A more recent study reported a novel ROS inhibitory effect of SGLT‐2is in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) undergoing enhanced cyclic stretch, suggesting that SGLT‐2is might also alleviate oxidative stress caused by mechanical forces (Li et al., 2021). This study firstly showed that SGLT‐2is prevented the loss of VE‐cadherin and alleviated barrier dysfunction in HCAECs undergoing enhanced stretch, which was mediated by their ROS inhibitory effect (Li et al., 2021).

2.3. Potential mechanisms underlying ROS inhibition by SGLT‐2is

Several factors contribute to the anti‐oxidative effect of SGLT‐2is (summarized in Figure 2). SGLT‐2is reversed the up‐regulation of NOXs and inhibited oxidative stress in the macrovascular and microvascular systems (Ganbaatar et al., 2020; Kuno et al., 2020). In diabetic mice, empagliflozin reduced NOX2 expression at mRNA levels, in aortic endothelium (Ganbaatar et al., 2020). Correspondingly, empagliflozin also suppressed the increase of NOX2 and NOX4 in renal tissue of rats with acute kidney injury (Kuno et al., 2020). In vitro, empagliflozin exerted an inhibitory capacity similar to that of GKT136901, a specific inhibitor for NOX1 and NOX4, on ROS generation in HCAECs undergoing enhanced stretch. Combination of empagliflozin and GKT136901 did not further reduce the stretch‐induced ROS production, suggesting that the anti‐oxidative effect of empagliflozin is mediated via NOXs (Li et al., 2021). Furthermore, empagliflozin prevented hyperglycaemia‐induced mitochondrial disruption, thereby attenuating the overproduction of cytosolic ROS and mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) in ECs isolated from mice and humans (Juni et al., 2021; Zhou et al., 2018). This mechanism is further supported by the fact that induction of mitochondrial fission abolished the inhibitory effects of empagliflozin on mtROS in mice CMECs (Zhou et al., 2018).

FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2

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Mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of SGLT‐2is on ROS levels. SGLT‐2is inhibit ROS production of endothelial cells, independent of glucose. This anti‐oxidative effect could be mediated via inhibition of NOXs, sodium‐hydrogen exchanger (NHE) and mitochondrial fission/fusion. Recent studies show that TNF‐α activates NHE to increase the intracellular Na+ concentration, which triggers sodium‐calcium exchange, via NCX, and enhances intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The increased cytosolic Ca2+ then stimulates the PKC‐NOX pathway and promotes ROS generation. Whether the Na+/Ca2+/PKC/NOXs axis is involved in the ROS inhibitory effect of SGLT‐2is still requires direct proof. The potential effect of SGLT‐1/2 is also open for discussion because the presence of SGLT‐2 in endothelial cells is still controversial (created with Biorender.com)

Another potential mechanism that might explain the antioxidant effects of SGLT2is is the direct inhibition of the NHE by SGLT2is, first discovered in CMs (Baartscheer et al., 2017; Uthman, Baartscheer, Bleijlevens, et al., 2018). A recent study from our laboratory showed that 10‐μM cariporide blocked the increase of oxidative stress in HCAECs undergoing enhanced cyclic stretch, and this effect of cariporide on ROS production was not further enhanced when combined with empagliflozin. These data indirectly suggest the involvement of NHE in the anti‐oxidative capacity of empagliflozin in ECs (Li et al., 2021). In 2021, Uthman et al. provided direct proof that empagliflozin inhibited ROS production in ECs via NHE inhibition, as empagliflozin treatment lowered the NHE activity and Na+ concentration in human ECs triggered by TNF‐α (measured with SNARF‐AM and SBFI‐AM fluorescence probes, respectively) and also mitigated the increased ROS production. The combination of empagliflozin and cariporide did not demonstrate additional ROS reduction in cells, showing that empagliflozin reduced TNF‐α‐induced ROS production via NHE inhibition (Uthman et al., 2022).

However, there is still ongoing discussion regarding the role of NHE in the inhibitory effect on ROS of SGLT‐2is. In support of our finding, Cappetta et al. (2020) previously reported NHE inhibition by dapagliflozin in ‘non‐stimulated’ HUVECs. In contrast, using cardiac microvascular ECs exposed to uraemic serum, Juni et al. (2021) recently observed a stronger ROS inhibitory capacity of 1‐μM empagliflozin when compared with 10‐μM cariporide (63% vs. 38%), indicating that part of the anti‐oxidative effect of empagliflozin might be unrelated to NHE inhibition. Chung et al. (2020) reported a neutral effect of empagliflozin (1–30 μM) on NHE activity within isolated rat CMs, which is in contrast to the studies of Baartscheer et al. (2017), Uthman, Baartscheer, Bleijlevens, et al. (2018) and Zuurbier et al. (2021) showing that 1‐μM empagliflozin inhibited the NHE activity in both isolated cardiac myocytes and isolated intact hearts of different rodents (mice and rabbits). Differences in the methods used might explain the differences between these studies.

The involvement of SGLT‐1/2 in the anti‐oxidative effect of SGLT‐2is has been recently discussed. Recent studies showed that high glucose and Ang II increased the expression of SGLT‐1 and ‐2 in porcine ECs and that empagliflozin showed an inhibitory effect on the induced SGLT‐1/2 expression (Khemais‐Benkhiat et al., 2020; Park et al., 2021). At 24 h, sotagliflozin (a dual inhibitor for SGLT‐1 and ‐2) and empagliflozin abolished the Ang II‐induced ROS production. Reduction of extracellular glucose and Na+ concentrations significantly inhibited the pro‐oxidant reaction to Ang II, indicating the crucial role of SGLT‐1 and ‐2 in a glucose‐ and sodium‐dependent ROS production (Park et al., 2021). Intriguingly, the sustained oxidative stress triggered by Ang II could also be alleviated by inhibition of NHE, NCX and NOXs, further supporting the functional link between the NHE/Na+/Ca2+ pathway and ROS production by NOXs within ECs (Park et al., 2021).

However, expression of SGLT‐2 in ECs is still a matter of debate, especially in the case of human cells. Mancini et al. (2018) showed the absence of SGLT‐2 at mRNA level in HUVECs, corresponding with the most recent study of Juni et al. (2021) using human CMECs. In contrast, using Western blot, Behnammanesh et al. (2019) detected the presence of SGLT‐2 in human ECs. Uthman et al. (2019) also reported a potential existence of SGLT‐2 in human ECs at protein level with a commercially available antibody. But this signal for SGLT‐2 protein persisted after the target gene had been silenced at mRNA level, and the qPCR revealed no existence of SGLT‐2 (Uthman et al., 2019).

3. SGLT‐2is INHIBIT THE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE OF ECs TO DIFFERENT STIMULI

3.1. Increased vascular inflammation in ECs

During hyperglycaemia, binding of AGEs to RAGE elevates adhesion molecule expression, production of cytokines and growth factors via the activation of ERK, JNK and PI3K pathways. AGEs directly stimulate monocytes to produce inflammatory mediators such as the ILs and TNF‐α, and thereby further enhance local inflammation of the vascular wall (Jin et al., 2018). Moreover, excessive production of ROS induces vascular inflammation in ECs via up‐regulating the adhesion molecules ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 (Daiber et al., 2020). The oxidative stress triggers cytokine secretion mainly in an ‘inflammasome‐dependent’ manner (Bai et al., 2020). Briefly, ROS activate NF‐κB and up‐regulate the expression level of the NLRP3 inflammasome, as well as pro‐IL‐1β. Then, NLRP3 inflammasome is activated through assembling NLRP3, caspase‐1 and apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a CARD (caspase activation and recruitment domain), forming a complex for the final production of active caspase‐1, IL‐1β and IL‐18. This process is also accelerated by ROS (Ferrucci & Fabbri, 2018; Toldo et al., 2021). Intriguingly, pro‐inflammatory mediators released during inflammation, such as TNF‐α can induce ROS production, thus promoting the ‘vicious cycle’ of oxidative stress and inflammation (Yuan et al., 2019).

3.2. Anti‐inflammatory capacity of SGLT‐2is

A recent clinical trial revealed that 24‐week treatment with empagliflozin significantly reduced serum ICAM‐1 level and prevented leukocyte–endothelium interactions in patients with DM (Canet et al., 2021). Empagliflozin inhibited macrophage accumulation, as well the expression of the monocyte chemokine CCL2 and ICAM‐1 in the aortic arch of diabetic mice (Ganbaatar et al., 2020), and dapagliflozin attenuated the high‐salt diet‐induced up‐regulation of VCAM‐1 in euglycaemic rats and lowered NF‐κB expression within rat ECs (Cappetta et al., 2020). Another study showed that empagliflozin limited Ang II‐induced abdominal aortic aneurysm in ApoE knockout mice, partly through inhibiting activation of p38 MAPK and NF‐κB in aortas, as well reducing macrophage infiltration within lesions (Ortega et al., 2019).

Consistent with these findings, in vitro studies revealed that dapagliflozin attenuated the increased ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 secretion of HUVECs exposed to hyperglycaemia or TNF‐α for 24 h (Gaspari et al., 2018) and that empagliflozin inhibited the TNF‐α triggered leukocyte adhesion towards human ECs cultured under flow (Cooper et al., 2019). However, the anti‐inflammatory effect in Cooper et al.'s (2019) study was achieved by very with high concentration of empagliflozin (50 μM). Uthman et al. (2019) reported a neutral effect of empagliflozin (1 μM) on TNF‐α‐induced adhesion molecules expression in static human ECs. In the latter study, ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 were measured 4 h after TNF‐α stimulation with flow cytometry, instead of using the supernatant of cell culture as in the study of Gaspari et al. (2018) (Uthman et al., 2019). The dose of SGLT‐2is also differed in these two studies (1 μM vs. 1–5 nM, respectively). Yet, lower doses of dapagliflozin (1 and 10 nM) did not inhibit expression of adhesion molecules either in the study of Uthman et al. (2019). Additionally, static cells are not directly comparable with cells cultured under flow. Static cells develop a thinner glycocalyx layer than dynamically activated ECs, and the latter model is considered more physiologically relevant because in situ ECs are constantly exposed to mechanical forces generated by blood flow (Chistiakov et al., 2017; Haymet et al., 2021).

Uthman et al. (2020) reported a compound‐specific effect of canagliflozin in inhibiting IL‐6 secretion by HCAECs exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, only canagliflozin activated AMPK, while empagliflozin or dapagliflozin did not alter AMPK phosphorylation in HCAECs (Uthman et al., 2020). The different effects on AMPK might partly explain the diverse effects of the three SGLT‐2is on vascular inflammation. Moreover, the decrease in IL‐6 induced by canagliflozin was significantly diminished after knockdown of glycolytic hexokinase II (HKII), revealing a novel anti‐inflammatory mechanism of canagliflozin, via inhibiting glycolysis (Uthman et al., 2020). In contrast, Abdollahi et al. recently showed that dapagliflozin attenuated the LPS‐induced cytokine secretion (IL‐6 and IL‐8) from HUVECs. This anti‐inflammatory effect of dapagliflozin was mediated via inhibition of toll‐like receptor 4 overexpression and NF‐κB activation in ECs exposed to 20 ng·ml−1 LPS for 24 h, under normal (5.5 mM) and high (25 mM) glucose conditions. Another major finding from this study is that dapagliflozin converted the transition of macrophages from pro‐inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti‐inflammatory M2 phenotype, which serves as a crucial therapeutic target during the progression of cardiovascular disease (Abdollahi et al., 2022). Intriguingly, in the former study, HCAECs were exposed to higher concentration of LPS (1 μg·ml−1) for a shorter period (3 h), and differences in exposures to LPS might partly explain the divergent results concerning IL reduction by dapagliflozin.

4. SGLT‐2is RESTORE IMPAIRED NO BIOAVAILABILITY

4.1. Mechanisms of reduced NO bioavailability in ECs

Patients with HF show an increased vascular tone in both macro‐ and micro‐vessels, mainly because of blunted NO bioavailability (Forstermann et al., 2017). Physiologically, NO production in ECs is initiated by phosphorylation of eNOS via the PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. Hyperglycaemia compromises NO generation by inhibiting the expression of eNOS as well as suppressing the phosphorylation of the active site of eNOS (e.g., Ser1177) (Forstermann et al., 2017; Meza et al., 2019). In addition, excessive ROS in ECs consume NO, which can be prevented by anti‐oxidative agents (Meza et al., 2019). Next to the above‐mentioned mechanisms, mechanical forces play a crucial role in modulating NO production within ECs. When exposed to unidirectional high shear stress (12–15 dyne·cm−2), the glycocalyx transduces mechanical stimulation to intracellular compartments and triggers diverse downstream pathways, such as PI3K/Akt/eNOS, thus promoting the release of NO (Chistiakov et al., 2017). Increased blood glucose levels degrade the endothelial glycocalyx of diabetic mice (Zuurbier et al., 2005), suggesting a potential interaction between hyperglycaemia and the glycocalyx in eNOS‐dependent NO production.

4.2. Restoration of NO by SGLT‐2is

In vivo studies showed that SGLT‐2is restored endothelium‐dependent vasodilation in both hyperglycaemic and euglycaemic animals (Salim et al., 2016; Sayour et al., 2019). Additionally, in vitro studies showed that empagliflozin and dapagliflozin reversed the loss of NO in human ECs exposed to TNF‐α (Juni et al., 2021; Uthman et al., 2019). However, as the phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 in isolated ECs was not affected by empagliflozin, the rescued NO bioavailability in isolated human ECs was most likely mediated by the ROS inhibitory capacity of SGLT‐2is (Juni et al., 2021; Uthman et al., 2019). In contrast, empagliflozin promoted eNOS phosphorylation via activating AMPK in ECs isolated from mice (Zhou et al., 2018), which could be partly explained by species difference. Moreover, the studies of Uthman et al. (2019) and Juni et al. (2021) were performed with static ECs. A further improvement in cellular studies could be the incorporation of dynamically activated ECs.

5. SGLT‐2is REVERSE THE DISTURBED ANGIOGENESIS OF ECs

5.1. Pathological modulation of angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is defined as the formation of new capillaries from established vessels. Physiologically, this process is limited to the embryonic and post‐natal stage and rarely found within healthy adults, apart from female reproductive organs (Eelen et al., 2020). Pathological alterations in angiogenesis are highly diverse in different organs/tissues. For example, excessive angiogenesis occurs in diabetic retinopathy/nephropathy, while the angiogenetic capacity is significantly impaired in cardiac and cerebral tissue of patients with DM (Okonkwo & DiPietro, 2017). Growth factors, such as the VEGFs, play key roles in promoting vascular growth and remodelling, and they can be markedly up‐regulated by hyperglycaemia, ROS and pro‐inflammatory mediators such as TNF‐α, but mostly by the lack of oxygen in respective organs. Local hypoxic conditions activate hypoxia‐induced factor (HIF)‐1α and increase the expression of VEGFs (Apte et al., 2019). Conditional knockout of HIF‐1α attenuated VEGF overproduction and prevented the development of diabetic retinopathy within mice, suggesting a crucial role of the HIF‐1α/VEGFs pathway in pathological angiogenesis (Lin et al., 2011). Vasodilators, such as NO, are temporarily increased during pregnancy and may promote placental angiogenesis, but whether this effect persists in adult tissue is unclear (Umapathy et al., 2020).

5.2. The effect of SGLT‐2is on angiogenesis

The effect of SGLT‐2is on angiogenesis is still controversial. Earlier, Zhou et al. (2018) had demonstrated that empagliflozin promoted angiogenesis of CMECs in diabetic mice, thus improving myocardial microcirculatory perfusion and cardiac function. This study showed that empagliflozin preserved angiogenetic capacity of isolated CMECs through stabilization of F‐actin. The effect of empagliflozin was nearly abolished when it was combined with FCCP, a mitochondrial fission activator, to promote mtROS generation (Zhou et al., 2018). Excessive ROS arrested the cell cycle transition from G0/G1 to S and interrupted CMECs proliferation, which was re‐established by empagliflozin and mdivi1 (an inhibitor for mitochondrial fission) (Zhou et al., 2018). Taken together, prevention of mitochondrial fission and subsequent oxidative stress by empagliflozin was involved in its pro‐angiogenetic effects on CMECs. Correspondingly, a recent study from Nikolaou et al. (2021) showed that chronic administration (6 weeks) of empagliflozin reduced myocardial infarct size after ischaemia–reperfusion in non‐diabetic mice, and this cardioprotective effect of empagliflozin could be partly explained by the improved survival of CMECs. An in vitro study with human ECs exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation stress also showed that empagliflozin increased cellular viability via activating the STAT3 pathway (Nikolaou et al., 2021). Using human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), another study revealed that the autophagy is also involved in the pro‐angiogenic effect of empagliflozin. The anti‐leukaemia agent ponatinib induces vasculotoxicity via mitochondrial damage, while the autophagy‐mediated removal of injured mitochondria represents a cardiovascular protective mechanism against the toxic effects of ponatinib. HAECs exposed to ponatinib showed decreases in autophagy marker expression (LC3‐I/II), tube formation and cell viability, which were reversed by empagliflozin (Madonna et al., 2021).

In contrast, Behnammanesh et al. (2019) reported a robust anti‐proliferative and anti‐migration effect of canagliflozin in HUVECs and HAECs. In clinically relevant dosages, canagliflozin (5 and 10 μM) inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs by reducing the expression of cyclin A, as well as by reducing phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein, while empagliflozin and dapagliflozin barely influenced the proliferative capacity of ECs, using their physiological doses (1–2 μM) (Behnammanesh et al., 2019; Devineni et al., 2016; Tomlinson et al., 2017). The anti‐proliferative effect of canagliflozin could also be beneficial, as it suppressed the increased proliferation and tubular formation of HUVECs during co‐culture with Huh7 and HepG2 (hepatocyte‐derived carcinoma cell lines), as well the enhanced production of angiogenic cytokines, such as IL‐8, thus inhibiting the growth of liver cancer (Kaji et al., 2018). More recently, another study showed that canagliflozin had a dose‐dependent inhibitory effect on the expression of VEGF‐A and angiogenesis of HUVECs co‐cultured with HepG2 cells (Luo et al., 2021).

Several factors might explain the observed opposing effects of canagliflozin and empagliflozin on angiogenesis. Firstly, these studies were performed with ECs under different ‘stress’ conditions. Cells in the empagliflozin studies were activated with pathological stimuli (diabetes, hypoxia/reoxygenation and ponatinib) that impaired their cellular viability and angiogenesis capacity (Madonna et al., 2021; Nikolaou et al., 2021; Zhou et al., 2018), while the anti‐angiogenic effect of canagliflozin was reported in ‘non‐stimulated’ cells or ECs co‐cultured with cancer cells (Behnammanesh et al., 2019; Kaji et al., 2018; Luo et al., 2021). The potential involvement of SGLT‐1 is also of importance, considering that the anti‐proliferating effect seems to be compound‐specific for canagliflozin (Behnammanesh et al., 2019). Compared with empagliflozin and dapagliflozin, canagliflozin was relatively less selective for SGLT‐2 over SGLT‐1, and the latter is highly expressed in human ECs (Ohgaki et al., 2016). However, in a HepG2 and ECs co‐culture model, canagliflozin reduced glucose uptake and growth of liver cancer cells via inhibiting SGLT‐2, rather than SGLT‐1 (Kaji et al., 2018). Moreover, the effect of SGLT‐2is on ECs proliferation and migration might vary among different organs and tissues, and more research is required to explain these existing differences.

6. SUMMARY AND PERSPECTIVE

In summary, inhibitors of SGLT‐2 demonstrate prominent cardiovascular protective effects in patients with existing HF, with and without diabetes (Anker et al., 2021; Packer et al., 2020). Whereas earlier studies focused on the direct effects of SGLT‐2is on CMs, recent work has also emphasized ECs as a promising therapeutic target of SGLT‐2is (Durante et al., 2021; Salvatore et al., 2021). Preclinical studies show that SGLT‐2is exert favourable effects against endothelial dysfunction, including inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions, restoring NO bioavailability and modulating angiogenesis (the major findings of published work are listed in Table 2). This property might contribute to the cardiovascular benefits observed in patients receiving SGLT‐2is (Figure 3).

TABLE 2.

Major findings of the direct endothelial effects of SGLT‐2is

References Cells/tissues Drug (dosage) Stimulant (dosage) Major findings
Abdollahi et al., 2022 HUVECs DAPA (0.05 or 0.5 μM)/24 h Lipopolysaccharide (20 ng·ml−1)/24 h, under normal (5.5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose

IL‐6 and IL‐8 ↓

Toll‐like receptor 4 ↓

NF‐κB ↓
Behnammanesh et al., 2019

HUVECs

HAECs

Mice aortic ECs

 CANA (0–50 μM)/1–3 days …

Angiogenesis ↓

Cell proliferation ↓

Cyclin A and retinoblastoma phosphorylation ↓
Cappetta et al., 2020 HUVECs DAPA (1 μM) … NHE activity ↓
Rat vasculature DAPA (0.1 mg·kg−1·day−1)/6 weeks High‐salt (8% NaCl)/11 weeks

VCAM‐1 ↓

NF‐κB ↓
Cooper et al., 2019 HAECs EMPA (50 μM)/24 h

TNF‐α (10 μg·ml−1)/24 h

Wall shear stress (10 dyne·cm−2)/24 h

Leukocyte–endothelium adhesion ↓

Glycocalyx integrity ↑
Ganbaatar et al., 2020 Abdominal aorta of Apo E−/− mice EMPA (20 mg·kg−1·day−1)/8–12 weeks STZ (75 mg·kg−1)

NOX2 ↓

Macrophage accumulation ↓

Monocyte chemokine CCL2 ↓

ICAM‐1 ↓
Gaspari et al., 2018 HUVECs DAPA (1 nM to 1 mM)/24 h

TNF‐α (10 ng·ml−1)/24 h

Hyperglycaemia (10–30 mM)/24 h

ICAM‐1 ↓

VCAM‐1 ↓

NF‐κB ↓
Aortic sections of Apo E−/− mice DAPA (1 mg·kg−1·day−1)/4 weeks High‐fat diet (22% fat + 0.15% cholesterol)/20 weeks ICAM‐1 ↓
Juni et al., 2019 Human CMECs EMPA (1 μM)/6 h TNF‐α (10 ng·ml−1)/6 h

Cytoplasmatic ROS ↓

Mitochondrial ROS ↓

NO bioavailability ↑
Juni et al., 2021 Human CMECs EMPA (1 μM)/6 h Uraemic serum (15%)/6 h

Cytoplasmatic ROS ↓

Mitochondrial ROS ↓

Mitochondrial fragmentation ↓

NO bioavailability ↑
Kaji et al., 2018 HUVECs CANA (10 μM)/12 h Co‐culture with Huh7 and HepG2/24 h

HUVEC proliferation ↓

Tubular formation ↓

IL‐8 ↓

Angiogenin ↓

Metalloproteinase‐1 ↓
Khemais‐Benkhiat et al., 2020 Porcine coronary artery ECs

EMPA (0.1–100 nM)/30 min to 96 h

 High glucose (25 mmol·L−1)/48 or 96 h

Senescence‐associated‐beta‐galactosidase ↓

p‐21 and p‐16 protein ↓

ROS ↓

NOX ↓

eNOS and NO ↑

Glucose uptake ↓

VCAM‐1 ↓
Porcine coronary segment EMPA (100 nM)/30 min High glucose (25 mmol·L−1)/24 h

SGLT‐1 and ‐2 ↓

eNOS ↑

VCAM‐1 ↓
Leng et al., 2016 Aortic sections of Apo E−/− mice DAPA (1.0 mg·kg−1·day−1)/12 weeks STZ (130 mg·kg−1) + high‐fat diet (15% fat + 0.15% cholesterol)/4 weeks

ROS ↓

NLRP3 inflammasome ↓
Li et al., 2021 HCAECs

EMPA (1 μM)/24 h

DAPA (1 μM)/24 h

CANA (3 μM)/24 h

 Cyclic stretch (1 Hz, 10%)/24 h

NHE‐1 and NOX‐mediated ROS ↓

Cell permeability ↓

VE‐cadherin ↑
Luo et al., 2021 HUVECs CANA (10 and 20 μM)/24 h Co‐culture with HepG2/24 h

Angiogenesis ↓

VEGF‐A protein ↓
Madonna et al., 2021 HAECs

EMPA (100 and 300 nM)/0–48 h

DAPA (100 nM)/0–48 h

 PON (1.7 nM)/0–48 h

Tube formation ↑

Cell viability ↑

Autophagy ↑

Senescence ↑
Mancini et al., 2018

HUVECs

HAECs

 CANA (10 μM)/6 and 24 h IL‐1β (10 ng·ml−1)/6 and 24 h

IL‐6 ↓

Monocyte chemokine CCL2 ↓

Monocyte adhesion ↓

AMPK activity ↑
Nikolaou et al., 2021 Mice CMECs EMPA (10 mg·kg−1·day−1)/6 weeks Ischaemia (30 min)/reperfusion (2 h)

VEGF ↑

Superoxide dismutase 2 ↑

Cell survival ↑
Human CMECs EMPA (500 nM)/24 h Hypoxia (3 h)/reoxygenation (1 h)

Cell viability ↑

ROS ↓
Park et al., 2021 Porcine coronary artery ECs EMPA or sotagliflozin (100 nM)/30 min to 24 h Ang II (100 nM)

ROS ↓

SGLT‐1 and ‐2 ↓

Senescence‐associated‐β‐galactosidase ↓

eNOS and NO ↑
Porcine coronary artery ECs EMPA or sotagliflozin (100 nM)/48 h Microparticles from patients with coronary artery disease (10 nM)/48 h

SGLT‐1 and ‐2 ↓

eNOS and NO ↑

VCAM‐1 ↓
Ortega et al., 2019 Aortic aneurysm sections of Apo E−/− mice EMPA (3 mg·kg−1·day−1)/28 days Ang II (1000 ng·kg−1·day−1)/28 days

Macrophage infiltration ↓

p38 MAPK ↓

NF‐κB ↓

VEGF ↓
HAECs EMPA (3 μM)/24 h Ang II (1 μM)/24 h

Leukocyte–endothelium interactions ↓

ICAM‐1 ↓

VCAM‐1 ↓
Salim et al., 2016 Mice abdominal aorta Ipragliflozin (3 mg·kg−1·day−1)/3 weeks STZ (150 mg·kg−1)

Akt phosphorylation ↑

eNOS phosphorylation ↑

Monocyte chemokine CCL2 ↓

ICAM‐1 ↓

VCAM‐1 ↓
Uthman et al., 2019

HCAECs

HUVECs

EMPA (1 μM)/4–24 h

DAPA (1 μM)/4–24 h

 TNF‐α (10 ng·ml−1)/4–24 h

ROS ↓

NO bioavailability ↑
Uthman et al., 2020 HCAECs CANA (10 μM)/16 h Lipopolysaccharide (1 μg·ml−1)/3 h

IL‐6 ↓

ERK1/2 phosphorylation ↓

AMPK phosphorylation ↑

HKII ↓
Uthman et al., 2022

HCAECs

HUVECs

 EMPA (1 μM)/6 h TNF‐α (10 ng·ml−1)/6 h

NHE activity ↓

Intracellular Na+ ↓

ROS ↓
Zhou et al., 2018 Mice CMECs EMPA (10 mg·kg−1·day−1)/20 weeks STZ (50 mg·kg−1)/5 days

Angiogenesis ↑

Migration ↑

Wound healing ↑

Cytoplasmatic ROS ↓

Mitochondrial ROS ↓

Mitochondrial fission and fusion ↓

Senescence ↓
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Abbreviations: Akt, protein kinase B; AMPK, AMP‐activated protein kinase; Ang II, angiotensin II; CANA, canagliflozin; CMEC, cardiac microvascular endothelial cell; DAPA, dapagliflozin; EMPA, empagliflozin; eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase; HAEC, human aortic endothelial cell; HCAEC, human coronary artery endothelial cell; HKII, hexokinase II; HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cell; ICAM‐1, intracellular adhesion molecule 1; NHE, sodium‐hydrogen exchanger; NLRP3, NOD‐like receptor pyrin domain containing 3; NOX, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase; PON, ponatinib; ROS, reactive oxygen species; SGLT, sodium glucose co‐transporter; STZ, streptozotocin; VCAM‐1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1; VE‐cadherin, vascular endothelial cadherin.

FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 3

Open in a new tab

Direct endothelial protection by SGLT‐2is. SGLT‐2is have favourable effects on endothelial cells (ECs), including (1) inhibition of ROS production, (2) prevention of the inflammatory reaction, (3) restoration of NO bioavailability, (4) modulation of angiogenesis and senescence and (5) improvement of cellular viability. The anti‐inflammatory effect of SGLT‐2is include the down‐regulation of VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1, the reduction in cytokine secretion and prevention of monocyte–endothelium adhesion. SGLT‐2is could also restore NO bioavailability in endothelial cells, via improving phosphorylation of eNOS and scavenging ROS (created with Biorender.com)

However, there is still much debate about the mechanisms underlying these observed endothelial effects and whether the SGLT‐2 transporter is involved. To our knowledge, SGLT‐2 is not expressed in human ECs (Juni et al., 2019; Mancini et al., 2018; Uthman et al., 2019), and the protective effects of empagliflozin, dapagliflozin and canagliflozin are therefore most likely mediated via ‘off‐target’ activities, for example, NHE inhibition and glycolysis modulation (Baartscheer et al., 2017; Cappetta et al., 2020; Li et al., 2021; Uthman et al., 2022). However, some studies using porcine cells reported redox‐sensitive up‐regulation of SGLT‐1/2 in ECs, an effect that was attenuated by empagliflozin (Khemais‐Benkhiat et al., 2020; Park et al., 2021). Studies with SGLT‐2 knockout animals would be able to further explore the potential role of SGLT‐2 inhibition in the endothelial effects of these drugs. Besides, species differences can only partly explain these discrepancies, and in vivo studies using rats and mice are vulnerable to the influence of their biokinetic parameters, making it difficult to extrapolate the results to humans (Saeidnia et al., 2015). Moreover, the relatively limited studies in human ECs are of high diversity in origin (micro‐ or macro‐circulation) and developmental stage (adult or postnatal) of the cells (Alshnbari et al., 2020). Further studies with CMECs are required, considering the high prevalence and clinical relevance of coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with HF (Shah et al., 2018). Remarkably, most of these in vitro studies have been performed in static cells.

Additionally, it is noticeable that the cardiovascular protection of SGLT‐2is might be partly mediated by their capacity to switch substrates. SGLT‐2is administration facilitates the shift of substrate utilization from carbohydrate to fat and increases ketone generation. This metabolic conversion might optimize cardiac efficiency and reduce oxygen consumption in endangered myocardium (Ferrannini et al., 2016). Thus, it is possible that SGLT‐2is ameliorate diabetic microvascular complications via inducing low‐grade ketonaemia. These benefits might be mediated via improved fuel energetics, alleviated hypoxia and via the anti‐inflammatory/oxidative effects of ketone bodies. However, further studies are needed to explore the potential involvement of ketone generation in the cardiovascular benefits of SGLT‐2is (Mudaliar et al., 2021).

Taken together, given that endothelial dysfunction is a crucial promoter for the development of HF and that SGLT‐2is exert promising protective effects on ECs, SGLT‐2is show great potential in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Investigations regarding the direct effects of SGLT‐2is on the endothelium are needed for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these beneficial cardiovascular effects.

6.1. Nomenclature of targets and ligands

Key protein targets and ligands in this article are hyperlinked to corresponding entries in http://www.guidetopharmacology.org and are permanently archived in the Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2021/22 (Alexander, Fabbro et al., 2021a, b; Alexander, Kelly et al., 2021a, b; Alexander, Mathie, et al., 2021).

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

No conflict of interest to be disclosed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

XL is supported by the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) (No. 201906210054).

Li, X. , Preckel, B. , Hermanides, J. , Hollmann, M. W. , Zuurbier, C. J. , & Weber, N. C. (2022). Amelioration of endothelial dysfunction by sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors: pieces of the puzzle explaining their cardiovascular protection. British Journal of Pharmacology, 179(16), 4047–4062. 10.1111/bph.15850

Funding information Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC), Grant/Award Number: 201906210054

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data sharing is not applicable to this article because no new data were created or analysed in this study.

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