Abstract 10442: Protective Effect of Inhibition of Sglt2 on Nanoplastics-Induced Premature Endothelial Senescence and Dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Nanoplastics (NPs) are now widely acknowledged as a vital part of environmental pollution. However, the effects of NPs on the cardiovascular system are not well understood. We previously reported that NPs induce premature endothelial senescence and dysfunction via a redox-sensitive signaling pathway. Increasing evidence has shown that SGLT2 inhibitors (gliflozins) exhibit protective effects against the development of major cardiovascular diseases. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of SGLT2 on NPs-induced premature endothelial senescence and dysfunction, and, if so, to assess the effect of SGLT2 inhibition. Methods: Porcine coronary artery (PCA) rings and cultured endothelial cells (ECs) were exposed to NPs in the presence or absence of the SGLT2 inhibitor, Enavogliflozin (ENA), and the level of SGLTs expression, senescence-associated-beta galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, senescence markers, oxidative stress level, and vascular function were evaluated. Results: NPs were internalized in ECs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Exposure of PCAECs to NPs significantly up-regulated SGLT2 expression and increased SA-β-gal activity, one of the prominent senescence markers. ENA significantly reduced the NPs-induced increase of SA-β-gal activity in PCA and PCAECs. In addition, ENA prevented the NPs-induced up-regulation of senescence markers, p53, and p21 that promoted the inhibition of ECs proliferation. ENA prevented also the NPs-induced oxidative stress and up-regulation of NOX2 and p22phox in ECs. Exposure of coronary artery rings to NPs blunted endothelium-dependent relaxation and decreased the expression level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase level, and both of these effects were prevented by ENA. Conclusion: The present findings indicate that premature endothelial senescence and dysfunction induced by nanoplastics involve, at least in part, an upregulation of SGLT2, which is associated with increased levels of oxidative stress and the down-regulation of eNOS. They further raise the possibility that SGLT2 may be a potential target for preventing and/or treating environment pollution-associated cardiovascular diseases.