Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the SCORED trial, sotagliflozin (SOTA), a dual SGLT1/2 inhibitor, demonstrated significant reductions in both myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke in patients with T2DM and CKD. These results suggest a cardiovascular (CV) benefit of SOTA in patients with T2DM and CKD who are at increased risk of thromboembolic disease. To investigate the underlying mechanism of CV protection, we evaluated the effects of SOTA on platelet activation and thrombus formation, in both in vivo and ex vivo models, to understand its effects on MI and stroke. Washed human platelets treated with SOTA were stimulated with various agonists and platelet activation was assessed via lumi-aggregometry and flow cytometry. In whole blood, SOTA was evaluated for its potential to reduce platelet adhesion and thrombus formation in the perfusion flow chamber and Total Thrombus formation Analysis System (TTAS) assays. In vivo , mice dosed with SOTA were assessed for thrombus formation at the site of injury in real-time in the cremaster arteriole injury model. To determine the effect of SOTA on hemostasis, we assessed coagulation parameters ex vivo in human whole blood using thromboelastography. Finally, bleeding time was measured in vivo in mice dosed with SOTA using the tail bleeding assay. In washed platelets, SOTA inhibits platelet activation and aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, a dose-dependent decrease in platelet adhesion and thrombus formation was observed in whole blood assays. In vivo , platelet accumulation and fibrin formation were decreased in mice dosed with SOTA, however no effect is observed in coagulation parameters or bleeding time. SOTA inhibits platelet activation and thrombus formation with no impact on coagulation parameters or bleeding potential. These findings highlight a potential mechanism through which SOTA reduces the risk of stroke and MI in patients with T2DM and CKD, underscoring the importance of further investigation into the role of SOTA in CV protection, particularly in patients suffering from both T2DM and CKD at high risk of thromboembolic events.
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