Key result
Empagliflozin plus zinc normalizes blood pressure, glucose, and oxidative stress over monotherapy in diabetic rats.
Why the study?
Diabetes mellitus is frequently accompanied by hypertension, oxidative stress, and end-organ damage, and the combined effects of empagliflozin and zinc on these complications were not well characterized.
Does the combination of empagliflozin and zinc improve blood pressure and diabetes-induced biochemical changes in a diabetic rat model?
Does the combination of empagliflozin and zinc improve blood pressure and diabetes-induced biochemical changes in a diabetic rat model?
Supports preclinical synergy testing in diabetes; leaves open translation to human cardiovascular outcomes.
Background and aim: Diabetes mellitus is frequently accompanied by hypertension, oxidative stress, and end-organ damage. Empagliflozin (EMPA), an SGLT2 inhibitor, improves glycemic control and cardiovascular outcomes, while zinc exhibits insulin‑mimetic and vasodilatory properties. We aimed to assess the effects of EMPA and zinc, individually and in combination, on blood pressure, body weight, blood glucose, kidney and liver function, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rats, and to compare these effects with nondiabetic controls. Patients and methods: A total of 40 adult male albino rats were divided into five groups ( n =8 each): nondiabetic control, untreated diabetic, diabetic + EMPA (10 mg/kg/day), diabetic + zinc (10 mg/kg/day), and diabetic + EMPA + zinc (10 mg/kg/day each). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 8 weeks. Blood pressure (tail‑cuff), body weight, fasting glucose, renal/hepatic function, lipid profile, and oxidative stress markers (glutathione, SOD, malondialdehyde) were measured. Results: Diabetes caused significant hypertension, hyperglycemia, weight loss, dyslipidemia, renal/hepatic dysfunction, and oxidative stress ( P <0.001 vs. control). All treatments improved these parameters, but combination therapy consistently yielded superior efficacy, normalizing blood pressure and glucose, restoring renal and hepatic function, correcting dyslipidemia, and reversing oxidative stress to levels comparable with controls. Monotherapies produced only partial improvements. Conclusion: The combination of EMPA and zinc exerts synergistic antihypertensive, metabolic, reno-protective, and antioxidative effects in diabetic rats, exceeding the benefits of either agent alone. This dual strategy merits further investigation for comprehensive diabetes management.
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Azhar et al. (2026) studied Streptozotocin-induced diabetes (n=40). Empagliflozin and zinc combination vs. Untreated diabetic control and monotherapy groups was evaluated on Blood pressure, body weight, fasting glucose, renal/hepatic function, lipid profile, and oxidative stress markers. The combination of empagliflozin and zinc normalized blood pressure, glucose, and reversed oxidative stress in diabetic rats, exceeding the benefits of either agent alone.
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