Expression of GLUT-1 and SGLT-2 in the Chorioretina of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats After Administration of Empagliflozin.

Purpose: To assess the effect of empagliflozin on the expression of SGLT-2 and GLUT-1 in the chorioretina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: An in vivo experimental study was performed on Wistar rats. After a 2-week adaptation period, the rats were allocated to one of four groups. The group allocations were as follows: (K1) negative control (no intervention); (K2) positive control injected with streptozotocin (STZ) without treatment; (K3) positive control injected with STZ and treated with metformin; and (K4) positive control injected with STZ and treated with empagliflozin. SGLT-2 and GLUT-1 expressions were examined using the Western blot technique.

Results: SGLT-2 was expressed in the chorioretinal tissue of all groups; administration of SGLT-2 inhibitors could suppress its expression. The average band thickness indicated that SGLT-2 expression was higher in diabetic rats compared to rats with normal sugar levels. GLUT-1 expression was noticed in all groups based on the chorioretinal examination. It did not change in the metformin group, whereas the empagliflozin group showed a significant decrease in the GLUT-1 expression.

Conclusion: Both metformin and empagliflozin suppress the expression of SGLT-2 and GLUT-1 in the chorioretina of diabetic rats. In comparison, empagliflozin seems to be more potent in reducing this expression.