SGLT2 inhibitors: a review of their antidiabetic, renoprotective, and cardioprotective effects

Abstract

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of hypoglycemic agents that have emerged in recent years. Their unique mechanism of action, good hypoglycemic effect, prominent cardial-renal protection and minor side effects are getting more and more attention. SGLT2 inhibitors act on SGLT2 that are distributed in the proximal tubules of the kidney, inhibiting the reabsorption of glucose, thereby exerting a hypoglycemic effect. In addition, SGLT2 inhibitors also protect the heart and kidneys through a series of mechanisms that are not dependent on hypoglycemic effects. At present, many results published or of ongoing randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors had significant cardioprotective and renoprotective effect. This article reviewed the mechanism of SGLT2 inhibitors in blood glucose control, cardioprotective effect, renoprotective effect, and adverse reactions. Key words: Diabetes; Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors; Glycemic control; Renoprotective; Cardioprotective