Fig. 1

Experimental design of the studies. a 4-week-old male C57BL6/J mice were fed for 8 months with SD or HFD. Stroke was then induced experimentally by 30 min tMCAO and the mice on HFD were then changed to SD for the entire duration of the recovery phase. Three days after stroke, T2D mice were randomized in two groups: a group receiving 10 mg/kg/day Empagliflozin and a VH-group. During the recovery phase, behavioral tests were performed once weekly for 5 weeks. Serum was collected before stroke and at two and five weeks after stroke. The metabolic state of the animals was characterized before stroke to confirm T2D, and at 2 weeks after stroke to confirm efficacy of Empagliflozin treatment. At 5 weeks after stroke, mice were sacrificed to collect brains for immunohistochemistry and serum for assessment of metabolic parameters. b 3-month-old mice were subjected to tMCAO surgery with a 30 min occlusion. Three days after tMCAO, mice were randomized in 2 groups: a group receiving 10 mg/kg/day Empagliflozin and a VH-group. Behavioral tests were performed once weekly for 3 weeks. HFD = high-fat diet, SD = standard diet, ITT = insulin tolerance test, E = 10 mg/kg/day Empagliflozin p.o., VH = vehicle (0.5% methylcellulose), tMCAO = transient middle cerebral artery occlusion