Empagliflozin modulates renal sympathetic and heart rate baroreflexes in a rabbit model of diabetes

Aims/hypothesis We determined whether empagliflozin altered renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and baroreflexes in a diabetes model in conscious rabbits. Methods Diabetes was induced by alloxan, and RSNA, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were measured before and after 1 week of treatment with empagliflozin, insulin, the diuretic acetazolamide or the ACE inhibitor perindopril, or no treatment, in conscious rabbits. Results Four weeks after alloxan administration, blood glucose was threefold and MAP 9% higher than non-diabetic controls ( p