Sodium-glucose co-transporter2 expression and inflammatory activity in diabetic atherosclerotic plaques: Effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter2 inhibitor treatment

•The identification of novel molecular targets of atherosclerosis progression is of utmost importance in diabetic patients.•The occurrence of SGLT2 receptors on the endothelial cells of atherosclerotic plaques may be an attractive therapeutic option for atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes.•SGLT2/SIRT6 represents an attractive option, given its crucial involvement in atherosclerosis progression.•The endothelial SGLT2 inhibition increases the endothelial expression of SIRT6, yielding an improved atherosclerotic plaque phenotype and 2-year outcome.•The impairment of the endothelial SGLT2/SIRT6 pathway worsens outcomes in atherosclerotic patients with diabetes; this may be a potential preventive target.