Gotzmann, M.; Henk, P.; Stervbo, U.; Blázquez-Navarro, A.; Mügge, A.; Babel, N.; Westhoff, T.H. Empagliflozin Reduces Interleukin-6 Levels in Patients with Heart Failure. J. Clin. Med.2023, 12, 4458.
Gotzmann, M.; Henk, P.; Stervbo, U.; Blázquez-Navarro, A.; Mügge, A.; Babel, N.; Westhoff, T.H. Empagliflozin Reduces Interleukin-6 Levels in Patients with Heart Failure. J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 4458.
Gotzmann, M.; Henk, P.; Stervbo, U.; Blázquez-Navarro, A.; Mügge, A.; Babel, N.; Westhoff, T.H. Empagliflozin Reduces Interleukin-6 Levels in Patients with Heart Failure. J. Clin. Med.2023, 12, 4458.
Gotzmann, M.; Henk, P.; Stervbo, U.; Blázquez-Navarro, A.; Mügge, A.; Babel, N.; Westhoff, T.H. Empagliflozin Reduces Interleukin-6 Levels in Patients with Heart Failure. J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 4458.
Abstract
Background: Inhibition of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. The present prospective study investigates for the first time the effect of empagliflozin on various soluble markers of inflammation in HFrEF.
Methods: We included 50 inpatients with HFrEF and diabetes mellitus type 2. Half of the patients received a therapy with the SGLT-2-inhibitor empagliflozin in addition to standard medication, the other half of the patients did not receive empagliflozin and were considered as control group. Quality of life, functional status and soluble immunological parameters in serum were assessed at baseline and after 3 months.
Results: Baseline characteristics of both groups revealed no significant differences. Patients on empagliflozin demonstrated a significant improvement in the Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (baseline 44.2 ± 20.2 vs. 24 ± 17.7; p<0.001), in distance in the 6-minute walk test (baseline 343 ± 145 m vs. 450 ± 115 m; p<0.001) and in soluble interleukin-6 level (baseline 21.7 ± 21.8 pg/ml vs. 13.7 ± 15.8 pg/ml; p=0.008). There was no significant change of these or other parameters in the control group (p>0.05 each).
Conclusions: The empagliflozin-induced improvement of quality of life and functional capacity in patients with HFrEF and type 2 diabetes mellitus is accompanied by a substantial reduction of interleukin-6 levels. Thus, antiinflammatory effects may contribute to the benefits of SGLT2-inhibitors in heart failure.
Medicine and Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
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