The kidneys as an emerging target for the treatment of diabetes mellitus: What we know, thought we knew and hope to gain

Abstract

Glucose filtered by kidneys is reabsorbed into the proximal tubule through the sodium-coupled glucose co-transporter (SGLT2). This promotes urinary excretion of glucose and results in lowering of plasma glucose level. Administration of agents (e.g. dapagliflozin) that inhibits SGLT2 transporter have shown to be associated with improvement in hyperglycaemia without clinically persistent electrolytes disturbances or change in osmolarity. This may suggest that administration of dapagliflozin is effective and safe as treatment for hyperglycaemia. Ongoing clinical trials will reveal the potential benefit and safety of SGLT2 inhibitors as part of the therapy of type 2 diabetes.