Published in:
01-04-2017 | REVIEW ARTICLE
The Effect of Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors on Cardiometabolic Profile; Beyond the Hypoglycaemic Action
Authors:
Eirini Lioudaki, Emmanouil S. Androulakis, Martin Whyte, Konstantinos G. Stylianou, Eugenios K. Daphnis, Emmanouil S. Ganotakis
Published in:
Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy
|
Issue 2/2017
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Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has growing prevalence worldwide and major clinical implications, chiefly cardiovascular (CV) and renal disease burden. Sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT)-2 inhibitors are a new drug class in the management of T2DM with a mechanism of action independent of insulin. In addition to their hypoglycaemic effect, SGLT-2 inhibitors appear to have haemodynamic and nephroprotective effects. Studies have consistently showed a modest but significant blood pressure (BP) reduction. Metabolic benefits are also attributed to SGLT-2 inhibitors with a modest but consistent body weight decrease recorded along with improvements in lipid profile and uric acid levels. Remarkable findings of significant cardioprotective effects came from the recent EMPA-REG study with a particular focus on heart failure. In the kidney, SGLT-2 inhibitors reduce hyperfiltration, a precipitant of diabetic nephropathy.