Abstract: FR-PO0490
Effects of Empagliflozin on Plasma Ceramide Levels in Patients Treated with Long-Term Hemodialysis
Session Information
- CKM: Clinical - Trials, Epidemiology, and Biomarkers
October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health
- 602 Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health: Clinical
Authors
- Parrot, Madison M., University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Dunn, Jacob M., University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Maschek, John A., University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Stewart, Paul, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Yellepeddi, Venkata K., University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Cho, Monique E., University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Background
Ceramides with long-chain fatty acids have emerged as a powerful predictor of cardiovascular (CV) mortality in various patient populations, including patients treated with chronic hemodialysis. As a part of the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 1 clinical trial assessing safety of empagliflozin in dialysis-dependent end-stage kidney disease (DD-ESKD, NCT05614115), we evaluated the effect of empagliflozin on plasma ceramide levels. We hypothesized that empagliflozin decreases the lipotoxic long-chain ceramides and dihydroceramides/ceramides ratio, a marker of metabolic stress and inflammation.
Methods
Plasma samples (n=91) from 46 subjects receiving empagliflozin (10 or 25 mg) or placebo were analyzed in this preliminary and exploratory analysis. Changes in ceramide subclass group ratios (C16/C24, long-chain/very-long-chain, and dihydroceramide/ceramide) from baseline to week 12 were calculated and summarized using median and interquartile range within each dose group.
Results
Empagliflozin treatment did not reduce long-chain ceramides as assessed by ratios with C24 ceramide or sum of very-long-chain ceramides. None of the study groups exhibited significant changes in the dihydroceramide/ceramide ratio. A comprehensive adjusted analysis is pending.
Conclusion
Our study, the first to evaluate the effects of empagliflozin on lipid metabolism in DD-ESKD, did not demonstrate significant changes in plasma ceramide group ratios, in contrast to previous reports in other patient populations. The negative result could be related to the small sample size or inherent differences in ESKD. Larger clinical trials are needed to determine if empagliflozin can reduce plasma ceramides and improve CV survival in DD-ESKD.
Funding
- NIDDK Support