Effect of Semaglutide and Empagliflozin on Pulmonary Structure and Proteomics in Obese Mice

Abstract

Objective: This study utilized proteomics to investigate changes in protein expression associated with lung health in obese mice exposed to semaglutide and empagliflozin through a high-fat diet. Methods: Twenty-eight male C57BL/6JC mice were randomly assigned to two groups: a control diet group (n = 7) and a high-fat diet group (n = 21). The HFD group was further divided into three groups: HFD group (n = 7), Sema group (n = 7), and Empa group (n = 7). Post-treatment, mice underwent assessments including glucose tolerance, lipids, oxidative stress markers, body weight, lung weight, and structure. Proteomics identified differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in lung tissue, and bioinformatics analyzed the biological processes and functions of these proteins. Results: Semaglutide and empagliflozin significantly attenuated obesity-induced hyperglycemia, abnormal lipid metabolism, oxida-tive stress response, and can decrease alveolar wall thickness, enlarge alveolar lumen, and reduce collagen content in lung tissue. Both medications also attenuated lung elastic fibre cracking and disintegration. In the HFD/NCD group, there were 66 DEPs, comprising 30 proteins that were increased and 36 that were decreased. Twenty-three DEPs overlapped between Sema/HFD and Empa/HFD, with 11 up-regulated and 12 down-regulated simultaneously. After analysing DEPs in different groups, four proteins-LYVE1, BRAF, RGCC, and CHMP5-were all downregulated in the HFD group and upregulated by semaglutide and empagliflozin treatment. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that obesity induced by a high-fat diet causes a reduction in the expression of LYVE1, BRAF, RGCC, and CHMP5 proteins, potentially affecting lung function and structure in mice. Significantly, the administration of semaglutide and empagliflozin elevates the levels of these proteins, potentially offering therapeutic benefits against lung injury caused by obesity. Merging semaglutide with empagliflozin may exert a more pronounced impact.