Objective: SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduced cardiovascular (CV) events in humans with T2D; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and subsequent IL-1β release induces atherosclerosis and heart failure. Previous studies suggest a beneficial role of IL-1 blockade in the pathological processes of CV diseases. Recently, it was revealed that ketone bodies, i.e. β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) suppresses activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. As SGLT2 inhibitors cause increases in serum BHB, our aim was to examine whether the SGLT2 inhibitor blocks NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Methods: In a randomized, active-controlled study, a total of 61 patients with T2D and high CV risk (mean age and HbA1C were 64.4 years and 7.32 %, respectively) received SGLT2 inhibitor or sulfonylurea for 30 days. NLRP3 inflammasome activation was analyzed in macrophages and the serum metabolic parameters including glucose, BHB, and insulin from baseline to the end of treatment were tested. Results: Despite a similar glucose lowering effect in the two groups, SGLT2 inhibitor treatment significantly decreased IL-1β secretion compared to baseline (2,394 ± 236 to 1,748 ± 295 pg/mL, p < 0.001), whereas sulfonylurea had no effect on IL-1β secretion (2,273 ± 279 to 2,755 ± 331 pg/mL, p = 0.05) (time × group interaction p <0.001). SGLT2 inhibitor caused a significant increase in fasting serum BHB and decrease in serum insulin, while sulfonylurea had no significant effects on these measurements. We performed ex vivo experiments using human macrophages to verify whether BHB and insulin could affect NLRP3 inflammasome activity. BHB dose-dependently inhibited IL-1β secretion from macrophages. However, co-treatment with insulin attenuated the inhibitory effect of BHB on NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Conclusion: SGLT2 inhibitors attenuate NLRP3 inflammasome activation, in part, via increased serum BHB and decreased serum insulin and glucose, which might help to explain the cardioprotective effects of SGLT2 inhibitor (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02964572).