Research Article

Lack of evidence for improved β-adrenoceptor-mediated papillary muscle contraction by low-dose empagliflozin treatment in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Volume: 30 Number: 1 January 11, 2026

Lack of evidence for improved β-adrenoceptor-mediated papillary muscle contraction by low-dose empagliflozin treatment in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus leads to cardiovascular complications including impaired cardiac β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) function. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, such as empagliflozin (EMPA), improve outcomes in heart failure patients and animal models. Therefore, we have investigated the effects of EMPA on in vivo cardiac function and β-AR mediated contractile responses in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in a design reflecting late-onset of treatment. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups (control, EMPA-treated control, diabetic, and EMPA- treated diabetic). Diabetes was induced by STZ injection (40 mg/kg). 13-16 weeks after STZ injection, a low dose of EMPA (10 mg/kg/day, daily oral gavage) or vehicle was administered for another 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, in vivo cardiac function was evaluated by pressure-volume (PV) loop analysis and β-AR mediated contractile response was determined by isoprenaline on isolated papillary strips. The blood glucose-lowering effect of low-dose EMPA was confirmed. EMPA did not change cardiac function in control rats. Diabetic rats had a reduced heart rate, cardiac output, stroke work, rate of contraction and rate of relaxation and increased isovolumic relaxation, whereas in vitro responses were not markedly attenuated. Treatment with EMPA showed a trend for improvement of some (e.g., stroke volume, ejection fraction, cardiac index) but not all parameters. Our results indicate that low-dose EMPA treatment had limited effects on cardiac impairment despite reducing blood glucose when initiated after diabetes has manifested. Future studies using a preventive rather than therapeutic approach could help to clarify the possible benefits of EMPA on the diabetic heart.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Medical Pharmacology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 11, 2026

Submission Date

November 19, 2024

Acceptance Date

March 23, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 30 Number: 1

APA
Yeşilyurt Dirican, Z. E., Karaömerlioğlu, İ., Erdoğan, B. R., Öztürk, G., Michel, M. C., & Arıoğlu İnan, E. (2026). Lack of evidence for improved β-adrenoceptor-mediated papillary muscle contraction by low-dose empagliflozin treatment in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 30(1), 60-71. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1844982
AMA
1.Yeşilyurt Dirican ZE, Karaömerlioğlu İ, Erdoğan BR, Öztürk G, Michel MC, Arıoğlu İnan E. Lack of evidence for improved β-adrenoceptor-mediated papillary muscle contraction by low-dose empagliflozin treatment in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30(1):60-71. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1844982
Chicago
Yeşilyurt Dirican, Zeynep Elif, İrem Karaömerlioğlu, Betül Rabia Erdoğan, Gaye Öztürk, Martin Christian Michel, and Ebru Arıoğlu İnan. 2026. “Lack of Evidence for Improved β-Adrenoceptor-Mediated Papillary Muscle Contraction by Low-Dose Empagliflozin Treatment in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 (1): 60-71. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1844982.
EndNote
Yeşilyurt Dirican ZE, Karaömerlioğlu İ, Erdoğan BR, Öztürk G, Michel MC, Arıoğlu İnan E (January 1, 2026) Lack of evidence for improved β-adrenoceptor-mediated papillary muscle contraction by low-dose empagliflozin treatment in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 1 60–71.
IEEE
[1]Z. E. Yeşilyurt Dirican, İ. Karaömerlioğlu, B. R. Erdoğan, G. Öztürk, M. C. Michel, and E. Arıoğlu İnan, “Lack of evidence for improved β-adrenoceptor-mediated papillary muscle contraction by low-dose empagliflozin treatment in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 60–71, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.12991/jrespharm.1844982.
ISNAD
Yeşilyurt Dirican, Zeynep Elif - Karaömerlioğlu, İrem - Erdoğan, Betül Rabia - Öztürk, Gaye - Michel, Martin Christian - Arıoğlu İnan, Ebru. “Lack of Evidence for Improved β-Adrenoceptor-Mediated Papillary Muscle Contraction by Low-Dose Empagliflozin Treatment in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30/1 (January 1, 2026): 60-71. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1844982.
JAMA
1.Yeşilyurt Dirican ZE, Karaömerlioğlu İ, Erdoğan BR, Öztürk G, Michel MC, Arıoğlu İnan E. Lack of evidence for improved β-adrenoceptor-mediated papillary muscle contraction by low-dose empagliflozin treatment in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30:60–71.
MLA
Yeşilyurt Dirican, Zeynep Elif, et al. “Lack of Evidence for Improved β-Adrenoceptor-Mediated Papillary Muscle Contraction by Low-Dose Empagliflozin Treatment in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 30, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 60-71, doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1844982.
Vancouver
1.Zeynep Elif Yeşilyurt Dirican, İrem Karaömerlioğlu, Betül Rabia Erdoğan, Gaye Öztürk, Martin Christian Michel, Ebru Arıoğlu İnan. Lack of evidence for improved β-adrenoceptor-mediated papillary muscle contraction by low-dose empagliflozin treatment in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. J. Res. Pharm. 2026 Jan. 1;30(1):60-71. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1844982