Drug that lowers blood sugar also reduces blood vessel dysfunction caused by aging (Six weeks on Empagliflozin (Jardiance) “improved blood vessel function” and “reduced arterial stiffness” from “improvements in vessel wall shear stress”)

Medical Xpress / University of Missouri / GeroScience ^ | May 24, 2022 | Rogerio N. Soares et al

[ConservativeMind]

An FDA-approved drug to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes also may decrease blood vessel dysfunction associated with aging, according to a new study.

Researchers initially examined the role aging plays in human blood vessel function and stiffness. Then they evaluated how treatment with the sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin (Empa) improved blood vessel function and reduced arterial stiffness in aged male mice.

"Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in older adults in the U.S.," said Camila Manrique-Acevedo, MD. "Weight loss, physical activity, antihypertensive therapy and lipid-lowering drugs have shown variable effectiveness at improving blood vessel function and reducing arterial stiffness. But additional approaches are needed to improve vascular health in older adults."

The study first compared blood vessel function and stiffness in 18 healthy human patients—average age of 25—with 18 patients who averaged 61 years old. They found the older patients had impaired endothelial function and increased aortic stiffness when compared to the younger patients.

"Our findings in young and older adults confirm previous clinical data demonstrating the impact of aging on blood vessel function and arterial stiffness," Manrique-Acevedo said. "Importantly, we were able to replicate this data in a rodent model."

In order to investigate the effects of Empa on vascular aging, 72-week-old male mice were divided into two groups. Twenty-nine were fed for six weeks with a diet enriched with Empa, while the other half were given standard food. After analyzing both groups six weeks later, researchers discovered the mice treated with Empa experienced improved blood vessel function, reduced arterial stiffness and other vascular benefits.

Manrique-Acevedo said: Our findings highlight the need for further clinical investigations to determine the potential role of SGLT2 inhibition as a therapeutic tool to delay or reverse vascular aging in humans."

[ConservativeMind]

This is about $550 a prescription.

The other option would be to eat a lot fewer carbs, or eat low Glycemic Index foods. Similar reversals can be had with the help of supplements and exercise, but not necessarily in as short a time.

The study, itself, calls out the reason they believed the benefit occurred as from “improvements in vessel wall shear stress.”

[ConservativeMind]

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[DannyTN]

Yeah, with insurance it was going to cost me $250 a month. Between the price and being too new, I declined.

I’ve also seen a couple of internet doctors claim that the SGLT2 inhibitors are bad drugs. Too many side effects.

The theory sounds good. SGLT2 inhibitors cause the kidneys to remove the sugar through the urine. But the side effects can be urinary track and bladder infections, because of the sugar in the urine. And also Fournier’s gangrene (rotting of the testicles) which can be life threatening.

I wonder if supplementing with D-Mannose would help mitigate that risk. D-Mannose is a type of sugar found in Cranberries and is believed to be one of the mechanisms that cranberries help with UTI’s. I’ve read, that UTI bacteria like D-Nannose so well, that they release their hold on the bladder and UT walls to cling to the D-Mannose and therefore get flushed out.

Also I understand an early SGLT2 inhibitor Invokamet stopped being recommend because studies found that while it did lower blood sugar, amputations went up.

[PeteyBoy]

I have just been prescribed this. It has taken over a week for the insurance company to approve it. Can’t wait to see what it’s going to cost me.

[jpp113]

Don’t be surprised when your pee comes out vibrant yellow

[Deaf Smith]

*Jardiance is one of those last resort drugs advertised on TV.

Look up the drug and the side effects; kidney failure, gangrene and death.

[Gideon7]

Jardiance works really well for me. It causes my kidneys to eliminate sugar through the urine to promote weight loss. No substitute for exercise and diet but it does help.