The anti-diabetic drug dapagliflozin induces vasodilation via activation of PKG and Kv channels

Aim: Considering the clinical efficacy of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 DM and the pathophysiological relevance of Kv channels for vascular reactivity. We investigate the vasodilatory effect of dapagliflozin and related mechanisms using phenylephrine (Phe)-induced contracted aortic rings. Material and methods: Arterial tone measurement was performed in aortic smooth muscle. Key findings: Application of dapagliflozin induced vasodilation in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with the BKCa channel inhibitor paxilline, the KATP channel inhibitor glibenclamide, and the Kir channel inhibitor Ba2+ did not change dapagliflozin-induced vasodilation. However, application of the Kv channels inhibitor 4-AP effectively inhibited dapagliflozin-induced vasodilation. Application of the Ca2+ channel inhibitor nifedipine and the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) pump inhibitor thapsigargin did not alter the vasodilatory effect of dapagliflozin. Moreover, the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ 22536 and the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor KT 5720 had no effect on dapagliflozin-induced vasodilation. Although guanylyl cyclase inhibitors, NS 2028 and ODQ, did not reduce the vasodilatory effect of dapagliflozin, the protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor KT 5823 effectively inhibited dapagliflozin-induced vasodilation. The vasodilatory effect of dapagliflozin was not affected by elimination of the endothelium. Furthermore, pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME or the small-conductance Ca2+-activated K (SKCa) channel inhibitor apamin did not change the vasodilatory effect of dapagliflozin. Significance: We concluded that dapagliflozin induced vasodilation via the activation of Kv channels and PKG, and was independent of other K+ channels, Ca2+ channels, intracellular Ca2+, and the endothelium.