Empagliflozin Protects Against Oxidative Stress in the Diabetic Brain by Inducing H₂S Formation.

ABSTRACT: Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an endogenously produced gaseous neurotransmitter. H₂S donors exhibited neuroprotection in oxidative-stress-related disorders in preclinical studies, but odor and short half-lives have limited their clinical use. However, endogenous H₂S stimulators with antioxidant properties have advantages over H₂S donors regarding safety and patient compliance. Empagliflozin (EMPA), a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM), exerted similar neuroprotective and antioxidant effects as H₂S and shares common mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the role of H₂S in the antioxidant effects of EMPA in the brain. Methods: The

SUBMITTER: Ozbek EN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12472424 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature