Empagliflozin Attenuates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in High Fat Diet Fed ApoE(-/-) Mice by Activating Autophagy and Reducing ER Stress and Apoptosis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) have been studied as potential treatments against NAFLD, showing varying beneficial effects. The molecular mechanisms mediating these effects have not been fully clarified. Herein, we investigated the impact of empagliflozin on NAFLD, focusing particularly on ER stress, autophagy and apoptosis. METHODS: were measured by qRT-PCR, and protein levels of p-EIF2α, EIF2a, CHOP, LC3II, P62, BECLIN-1 and cleaved CASPASE-8 were assessed by immunoblotting. RESULTS: ratio and inhibited CASPASE-8 cleavage, reducing liver cell apoptosis. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the qPCR results. CONCLUSION: mice by promoting autophagy, reducing ER stress and inhibiting hepatic apoptosis.