Empagliflozin prevents oxidative stress in human coronary artery endothelial cells via the NHE/PKC/NOX axis

Xiaoling Li, Mengnan Wang, Jan-Ole Kalina, Benedikt Preckel, Markus W. Hollmann, Martin Albrecht, Coert J. Zuurbier, Nina C. Weber

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Abstract

Background: Empagliflozin (EMPA) ameliorates reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in human endothelial cells (ECs) exposed to 10 % stretch, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Pathological stretch is supposed to stimulate protein kinase C (PKC) by increasing intracellular calcium (Ca2+), therefore activating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) and promoting ROS production in human ECs. We hypothesized that EMPA inhibits stretch-induced NOX activation and ROS generation through preventing PKC activation. Methods: Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were pre-incubated for 2 h before exposure to cyclic stretch (5 % or 10 %) with either vehicle, EMPA or the PKC inhibitor LY-333531 or PKC siRNA. PKC activity, NOX activity and ROS production were detected after 24 h. Furthermore, the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM, NCX inhibitor ORM-10962 or NCX siRNA, sodium/potassium pump inhibitor ouabain and sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHE) inhibitor cariporide were applied to explore the involvement of the NHE/Na+/NCX/Ca2+ in the ROS inhibitory capacity of EMPA. Results: Compared to 5 % stretch, 10 % significantly increased PKC activity, which was reduced by EMPA and PKC inhibitor LY-333531. EMPA and LY-333531 showed a similar inhibitory capacity on NOX activity and ROS generation induced by 10 % stretch, which was not augmented by combined treatment with both drugs. PKC-β knockdown inhibits the NOX activation induced by Ca2+ and 10 % stretch. BAPTA, pharmacologic or genetic NCX inhibition and cariporide reduced Ca2+ in static HCAECs and prevented the activation of PKC and NOX in 10%-stretched cells. Ouabain increased ROS generation in cells exposed to 5 % stretch. Conclusion: EMPA reduced NOX activity via attenuation of the NHE/Na+/NCX/Ca2+/PKC axis, leading to less ROS generation in HCAECs exposed to 10 % stretch.
Original languageEnglish
Article number102979
JournalRedox Biology
Volume69
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2024

Keywords

  • Cyclic stretch
  • Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs)
  • Intracellular calcium (Ca )
  • Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX)
  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
  • Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i)

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