Therapeutic Potential of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Treating Type 2 Diabetes MellitusM. Amin and N. Suksomboon*
-
Current therapies in type 2 diabetes management lose their efficacy because of their dependence on ?-cell function which decreases with the passage of time. In kidneys, filtered glucose is reabsorbed mostly by the sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) proteins which are located in the S1 segment of proximal convoluted tubules. SGLT2 inhibitors reduce this reabsorption process by blocking SGLT2 proteins and reduce glycemic levels by promoting urinary glucose excretion which is an insulin independent phenomenon. This loss of glucose in urine is also associated with decrease in body weight by creating an energy deficit and to some extent reduction in blood pressure due to an osmotic diuretic effect. This review focuses on therapeutic potential of SGLT2 inhibitors with a view to identify their role in diabetes management. The available evidence suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors are safe, efficacious and well tolerated across a large group of patients. Provided that the long term safety of this class is established, it is very likely that these agents shall assume a major role in diabetes management.
Keyword:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, HbA1c, Sodium glucose cotransporter-2, Dapagliflozin, Canagliflozin, Ipragliflozin.
Download full paper (PDF File size: 2,182.04 KB.)
|