Abstract: Insulin dysregulation is a hallmark of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), and in recent years, pharmacological treatment with sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have shown promise in reducing the risk of hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis in horses diagnosed with EMS. In humans and laboratory animals, this transporter protein is responsible for the majority of renal tubular glucose reabsorption, however, the presence of this and the related sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) have not yet been studied in equine kidneys. Additionally, studies in humans and laboratory animals have documented the presence of SGLT1 and SGLT2 also in hepatic and pancreatic tissue, which may explain extra-renal treatment effects of SGLT2i. Since the specificity towards SGLT2 and SGLT1 differ between the various SGLT2i drugs currently in use in horses, investigating SGLT2 and SGLT1 protein expression in equine tissues may help understanding potential differences in treatment effect and/or side effect profile between substances. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the presence of SGLT2 and SGLT1 in equine kidneys, liver and pancreas. Results: Tissue samples from ten healthy Norwegian/Swedish Coldblood Trotters were collected. Using immunohistochemistry with antibodies raised against human SGLT1 and SGLT2, a strong SGLT2 antibody signal was present in the apical membranes of epithelial cells in the cortical labyrinth of the kidney, while SGLT1 positive cells were predominantly found in medullary rays. Both of these results concur with those in humans and rats. Using electron microscopy, ultrastructural localisation of positive SGLT2 antibody signal was confirmed to the microvilli of tubular epithelial cells. Positive SGLT2 signal was also detected in periportal hepatocytes and in cells within islet of Langerhans in the endocrine pancreas. Positive SGLT1 signal was seen in cholangiocytes in the portal areas of the liver, and in Kuppfer cells. Conclusions: The present study confirms presence of SGLT2 and SGLT1 in the equine kidney, localized to the proximal tubule. Also, presence of SGLT2 in the liver and pancreas, suggest that SGLT2i may have both renal and extrarenal effects.
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SGLT2 and SGLT1 proteins, responsible for glucose transport, are present in horse kidneys, liver, and pancreas. This discovery helps explain how drugs targeting these transporters might work to treat insulin-related conditions in horses.
Background and Rationale
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is characterized by insulin dysregulation, leading to health issues like laminitis in horses.
SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are drugs that reduce blood sugar by blocking glucose reabsorption in kidneys, showing promise for EMS treatment.
In humans and laboratory animals, SGLT2 is primarily responsible for kidney glucose reabsorption; SGLT1 is a related glucose transporter with different tissue distribution.
The presence and location of SGLT1 and SGLT2 in horse (equine) organs, especially kidney, liver, and pancreas, were previously unknown.
Studying the presence of these transporters in horses can clarify the mechanisms of SGLT2i drugs and explain varied drug effects or side effects based on their selectivity for SGLT2 vs. SGLT1.
Objective
To evaluate the presence and localization of SGLT2 and SGLT1 proteins in equine kidney, liver, and pancreas tissues.
Methods
Tissue samples were collected from ten healthy Norwegian/Swedish Coldblood Trotter horses.
Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies designed against human SGLT1 and SGLT2 proteins to detect these transporters in horse tissues.
Electron microscopy was used to explore the ultrastructural details of SGLT protein localization, especially in renal tissue.
Results
Kidney:
SGLT2 showed a strong presence in the apical membranes of epithelial cells in the cortical labyrinth (part of the proximal tubule).
SGLT1-positive cells were predominantly localized in medullary rays of the kidney.
Electron microscopy confirmed SGLT2 localization on microvilli of proximal tubular epithelial cells.
Findings parallel those previously observed in humans and rats, indicating conserved transporter localization across species.
Liver:
SGLT2 was detected in hepatocytes located in the periportal areas (regions near portal triads).
SGLT1 was found in cholangiocytes (cells lining bile ducts) and Kupffer cells (liver macrophages) in portal areas.
Pancreas:
SGLT2 protein was present in cells within the islet of Langerhans, which are responsible for endocrine functions including insulin secretion.
The distribution of SGLT1 in pancreas was not specifically highlighted beyond liver-related findings.
Conclusions and Implications
The study confirms that SGLT2 and SGLT1 are present in specific compartments of equine kidneys, mainly localized to the proximal tubule, consistent with their known function in glucose handling.
SGLT2 expression in equine liver and pancreas provides evidence that SGLT2 inhibitors may exert effects beyond the kidney, potentially influencing hepatic and pancreatic functions.
This broader tissue distribution suggests that pharmacological treatments targeting SGLT2 in horses could have both renal and extrarenal therapeutic or side effects.
Understanding the localization and function of these transporters in horses informs better use and development of SGLT2i drugs for managing insulin dysregulation associated with EMS.
Cite This Article
APA
Anger-Håål C, Fjordbakk CT, Ekstrand C, Skedsmo FS, Rørtveit R.
(2025).
Sodium-glucose transporters SGLT1 and SGLT2 in equine renal, hepatic and pancreatic tissue.
BMC Vet Res, 22(1), 36.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-05173-1
Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
Fjordbakk, Cathrine T
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
Ekstrand, Carl
Department of Animal Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. carl.ekstrand@slu.se.
Skedsmo, Fredrik S
Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
Rørtveit, Runa
Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
MeSH Terms
Animals
Horses / metabolism
Pancreas / metabolism
Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 / metabolism
Kidney / metabolism
Liver / metabolism
Sodium-Glucose Transporter 1 / metabolism
Male
Female
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: In accordance to journal policies ( https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.biomedcentral.com%2Fgetpublished%2Feditorial-policies%23research%2Binvolving%2Banimals&data=05%7C02%7Ccarl.ekstrand%40slu.se%7C1940d598096c453d2cd608de220a6d35%7Ca3b5f0710e4947a0a40e9b7c9c4d647e%7C1%7C0%7C638985625347286187%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5Hs2pK5MgfO%2FWMt%2FVK6J8wvaiSA8vBNnGhrlgcbFayQ%3D&reserved=0 ) the study was reviewed by the Ethical committee for approval of studies with animal patients, an ethical committee affiliated to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. The ethical committee concluded that the study did not meet the criteria for studies that require application to or approval from any ethical committee. Signed informed consent was obtained from owners of all horses included in the study. Consent for publication:: Not applicable. Competing interests: CE is pharmacological advisor to Svensk Travsport (Swedish Trotting Association).
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