The Combination Empagliflozin/Metformin Attenuates the Progression of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in a Diet-Induced Experimental Rat Model
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) encompasses several cardiometabolic risk factors (obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and dyslipidemia), in addition to hepatic steatosis. Therefore, treatment is often challenging and frequently involves polypharmacy. This study investigated whether the combination of empagliflozin/metformin improves MASLD disease outcomes in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome (MS). To evaluate the efficacy of the empagliflozin/metformin (12.5/850 mg/kg/day/30 days) combination, male Wistar rats (200-220 g) were fed a Western-type diet and sugary drink to induce MS. Biochemical parameters, markers of liver damage, oxidative stress, and histopathological analysis were assessed. Also, the expression of transcription factors associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and the modulation of oxidative stress were assessed. The analyses were performed with the combination and with the drugs independently. The combination empagliflozin/metformin decreased body weight, plasma triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels, while improving fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, and plasma HDL-cholesterol levels. Additionally, it prevented hepatic hypertrophy, liver damage at both biochemical and histological levels, and intrahepatic lipid accumulation. The combination also demonstrated a significantly greater effect in improving mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress by modulating the…
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