Mechanisms underlying the blood pressure-lowering effects of empagliflozin, losartan and their combination in people with type 2 diabetes: A secondary analysis of a randomized crossover trial

Abstract

Aim: To study the effects of the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin, the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) losartan, and their combination on blood pressure, while studying the mechanisms potentially involved. Methods: A total of 24 people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) (age: 66 ± 6 years; body mass index: 31.0 ± 3 kg/m2; estimated glomerular filtration rate: 90 ml/min/1.73m2) received a 1-week treatment with empagliflozin 10 mg once daily, losartan 50 mg once daily, their combination, and placebo, in a randomized double-blind crossover design, with 4-week washout periods in between. Blood pressure, arterial stiffness, autonomic nervous system activity and plasma volume, extracellular fluid and serum albumin were assessed. Results: Versus placebo (139 mmHg), empagliflozin reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 8 mmHg (P =.001), losartan by 12 mmHg (P =.001) and empagliflozin + losartan by 15 mmHg (P