Effect of Dapagliflozin on Intestinal Flora in MafA-deficient Mice

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dapagliflozin on intestinal microflora in MafA-deficient mice using an animal model of diabetes. METHODS: Male MafA-deficient mice were administered dapagliflozin (1.0 mg/kg/d) intragastrically for 6 weeks. Mouse body weights and fasting blood glucose levels were measured, and intestinal short-chain fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. A series of methods was used to analyse the number of primary harmful bacteria in the faeces, and high-throughput sequencing was used to sequence the changes in intestinal flora. RESULTS: The weight of the mice decreased after dapagliflozin gavage, and fasting blood glucose was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.001). Acetic acid and butyric acid contents in the intestinal tracts of the mice increased, and the growth of harmful microorganisms, such as Clostridium perfringens, enterococci, Enterobacteriaceae, and intestinal enterococci, was inhibited. Blautia is a species found in the experimental group and was significantly different from the control and blank groups as determined by the LDA score from highthroughput sequencing. CONCLUSION: Dapagliflozin can reduce fasting blood glucose, decrease body weight, increase short-chain fatty acid content, regulate the intestinal microecological balance of the body and promote blood glucose and energy homeostasis.