Use Of Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Research Articles

#412 Influence of SGLT2I on tubulointerstitium in DKD patients with moderate renal dysfunction

Abstract Background and Aims In the FAGOTTO study (jRCTs041200069) to evaluate changes of renal hemodynamics on initial glomerular filtration rate (GFR) dip induced by Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients (pts) with type 2 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and moderate renal dysfunction, we reported that SGLT2 inhibition maintained the levels of glomerular filtration fraction (FF) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) during decrease in GFR as well as renal plasma and blood flow. In this sub analysis, we evaluated if GFR dip by SGLT2i might induce tubulointerstitial disorder by measuring urinary biomarkers. Method The FAGOTTO study was a 12-week multicenter, open-label, randomized (1:1), parallel-group study treated with Canagliflozin (Group CA) or control groups (Group CO) in DKD pts with 30 ≤ estimated GFR (eGFR) ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Urinary biomarkers including liver-type fatty-acid binding protein (L-FABP), N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG), β2-microglobulin (β2MG) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured at baseline, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after start of the trial. The adjusted mean and SE for changes were calculated at each time point by a linear mixed model with baseline values, time point, and interaction of the treatment group as the fixed effects. We compared these changes between treatment the groups the Tukey-Kramer method to correct for multiplicity. Results The adjusted mean changes in L-FABP at the 4-week and 12-week time point after trial start were estimated −0.35 and −0.17 μg/gCr in Group CA and 0.06 and 1.23 μg/gCr in Group CO in a linear mixed model, respectively. Similarly, the changes were estimated 2.63 and 3.71 U/gCr in Group CA and 1.38 and −1.21 U/gCr in Group CO in NAG, 317.7 and 291.4 μg/gCr in Group CA and 416.6 and 375.1 μg/gCr in Group CO in β2MG and 19.6 and 64.6 pg/gCr in Group CA and −7.7 and −2.7 pg/gCr in Group CO in MCP-1, respectively. When compared the changes in L-FABP, NAG, β2MG and MCP-1 between Group Ca and Group Co by Tukey-Kramer multiple-comparison test, there were no significant differences in any biomarkers. (Figure). Conclusion In this analysis, no significant difference in any of these biomarkers was detected in Group CA compared to those in Group CO at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after administration of SGLT2i. Although further studies should be needed to conclude, transient decrease in GFR after administration of SGLT2i might not be involved with tubulointerstitial damage and our study gives one evidence as a safety information in use of SGLT2i to DKD pts with moderate renal dysfunction.

#762 Hyperkalemia and discontinuation of RAS blockade after initiating SGLT-2i vs. DPP-4i in patients with type 2 diabetes; a population-based cohort study

Abstract Rate of hyperkalemia and discontinuation of renin-angiotensin system blockade after initiating SGLT-2 inhibitors vs. DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes; a population-based cohort study Background and Aims Post-hoc analyses of clinical trials have suggested that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) lower the rate of hyperkalemia and facilitate the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) in people with type 2 diabetes and CKD. Whether these effects are generalizable to patients treated in routine clinical practice is unclear. Here, we evaluated the comparative effects of SGLT-2i and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) on the rate of hyperkalemia and RASi discontinuation. Method We conducted a population-based active-comparator, new-user cohort study using data from the Stockholm CREAtinine Measurements (SCREAM) project of people with type 2 diabetes who newly initiated SGLT-2i or DPP-4i between January 2014 and December 2021. The primary outcomes were time to first outpatient hyperkalemia (plasma potassium >5.0 mmol/L) occurrence and recurrent hyperkalemia. The secondary outcomes were mild (potassium >5-≤5.5 mmol/L) and moderate-severe (potassium >5.5 mmol/L) hyperkalemias. Among RASi users, we also studied time to RASi discontinuation through evaluation of pharmacy fills. Cox regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and rate differences for time to first hyperkalemia. Weighted Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for hyperkalemia recurrence. Results We included 24 417 individuals (of which 14 470 initiated SGLT-2i and 9, 947 DPP-4i therapy), followed for median 2.0 (Q1-Q3 0.8-3.7) years. Mean age was 67 years and 37% were women. Compared with DPP-4i, initiation of SGLT-2i was associated with a lower rate of first hyperkalemia (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.83; 95% CI 0.72-0.96) and recurrent hyperkalemia (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.75; 0.64-0.85). Similar findings were observed among people with eGFR ≥60 (HR 0.73; 95% CI 0.63-0.86) and <60 (HR 0.87; 95% CI 0.63-1.16) ml/min/1.73 m2, as well as for mild (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.71-0.95) and moderate-severe (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.52-0.84) hyperkalemias. Out of 15 746 participants that were prevalent RASi users, 17% discontinued RASi therapy during 2.0 (IQR 0.8-3.7) years of follow-up. Initiation of SGLT-2i vs. DPP-4i was not associated with the rate of RASi discontinuation (HR: 1.00; 0.91-1.11). Conclusion In patients with type 2 diabetes managed in routine clinical care, the use of SGLT-2i was associated with a lower rate of first and recurrent hyperkalemia compared with DPP-4i. However, this was not accompanied by higher persistence on RASi therapy.

#2638 SGLT2i in CKD with high albuminuria: an observational real-world study

Abstract Background and Aims Dapagliflozin, a sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), is indicated to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD). Clinical trials have shown that dapagliflozin significantly reduces albuminuria in patients with urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) 200–5000 mg/g and has beneficial effects on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline and combined kidney outcomes. In the DAPA-CKD trial, dapagliflozin led to substantial reductions in the composite of sustained eGFR decline of ≥50%, end-stage kidney disease, and renal or cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51, 0.72; p < 0.001), with similar reductions observed across UACR subgroups. Furthermore, compared with placebo, dapagliflozin reduced geometric mean UACR by 29.3% (95% CI: –33.1, –25.2; p < 0.0001), with no difference in relative UACR reduction by baseline UACR above or below 1000 mg/g. In the ZENITH-CKD study, over 12 weeks the combination of zibotentan (a novel endothelin A receptor antagonist) and dapagliflozin showed a robust reduction in UACR of 47.7% vs 28.3% for dapagliflozin alone, with this effect maintained in patients with UACR >700 mg/g. It is well known that renal disease progresses more quickly in patients with higher degree of albuminuria than in those with lower levels. We aimed to further characterize renal risk in patients with different levels of residual albuminuria despite standard of care treatment with renin–angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) and SGLT2i. Methods We used a large USA claims database (Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database [CDM]) to identify patients aged ≥18 years with CKD, defined as either two eGFR measurements ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2 taken ≥90 days apart or a first eGFR ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and a CKD diagnosis. Patients were indexed at the date of dapagliflozin 10 mg initiation between 30 April 2021 (date of approval for dapagliflozin in CKD) and March 2023. Patients with prior use of SGLT2i, immunosuppressive drugs, hydroxychloroquine, CKD stage 5 (based on eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or dialysis), polycystic kidney disease, or type 1 or gestational diabetes were excluded. Patients were indexed on 1st January 2022 and grouped into two UACR groups: ≥700UACR group (≥700 mg/g) and <700UACR group (200–699 mg/g). Outcomes were UACR changes, eGFR slopes and CKD-associated hospitalizations within 1 year after dapagliflozin initiation. Hazard ratios were estimated using adjusted Cox survival regression. UACR follow-up analyses were restricted to patients with at least one follow-up measurement. Results In the 5908 patients with CKD, median UACRs at index in the ≥700UACR and <700UACR groups were 1414 mg/g and 102 mg/g, respectively. Patients in the ≥700UACR group vs <700UACR group had lower eGFR (40 vs 48 mL/min/1.73 m2), were younger (71 vs 74 years), and both groups had a high burden of comorbidities (heart failure: 38% vs 42%; type 2 diabetes: 74% vs 75%). RASi use was 81% and 74%, respectively. During follow-up, 22% of patients in the ≥700UACR group experienced a CKD-related hospitalization (25.1 events per 100 patient years) as compared to 19.5 events per 100 patient years in the <700UACR group (HR 1.38 [95% CI: 1.16, 1.64, p < 0.001]; Fig. panel A). The eGFR slope (95% Cl) of patients in the ≥700UACR group was –2.44 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year (–3.49, –1.65), compared with a flat eGFR trajectory in patients in the <700UACR group (0.39 [–0.11, 0.96]). In the ≥700UACR group with at least one follow-up measurement (n = 431), UACR lowered from 2077 mg/g to 1674 mg/g (–36.3%) within 1 month of dapagliflozin initiation but remained above 1200 mg/g throughout the 12-month follow-up period (Fig. panel B). Conclusions While treatment with RASi and SGLT2i are associated with reduced risk of renal outcomes in patients with CKD, awareness and management of residual albuminuria remains an area of unmet clinical need. The novel combination of zibotentan/dapagliflozin currently under investigation in the ZENITH High Proteinuria phase III trial (NCT06087835) seeks to address this need.

#1392 MEST-C score correlation with proteinuria reduction after SGLT2i treatment in patients with IgA nephropathy

Abstract Background and Aims Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are associated with better cardiovascular outcomes and with nephroprotection independent of diabetes status. Recent data suggest that SGLT2i significantly reduce proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Data available for the use of the MEST-C score to determine if treatment would benefit IgAN patients is scarce. The aim of our study was to assess the degree of proteinuria reduction after SGLT2i treatment in IgAN and its possible association with the MEST-C score. Method 63 adult patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy, eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (CKD-epi), and total urine protein of >0.5 grams/day at screening were included. Patients with secondary IgAN and crescents were excluded. All receiving maximally tolerated RASi for at least 12 weeks. All patients started dapagliflozin 10 mg once per day after baseline data were registered. The total follow-up was 12 months. The main outcome was the decline in eGFR and the reduction in 24-hour proteinuria from SGLT2i initiation to 1,3, 6, 9, 12 months, end-stage renal disease, or kidney or cardiovascular death. Three repeated measurements of proteinuria (mg/24H) were performed, 90 days before SGLT2i treatment initiation, and only patients with stable proteinuria were enrolled in the study. Results 49 patients (35/14 M/F), with mean age of 41,9 ± 19,6 years, completed follow up. 8 patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events attributed to dapagliflozin. At baseline eGFR was 68.21±18,1 ml/min/1.73 m2 and Upr: 2196±1091 mg/24H. The MEST-C scores were correlated with the serum creatinine level, proteinuria, and hematuria. The mean serum creatinine level was higher in M1, E1, S1, and T1 compared with score “0”. It was statistically significant (p = 0.03) only in the T-score. The mean proteinuria level was again higher in M1, S1, and T1 but reached statistical significance (p = 0.037) in only the T1-score. E1 has higher hematuria. The Upr/24H difference for dapagliflozin was −24.7% (95% CI −27.5, −23.2; p < 0.001) at the end of follow-up (month 12). Proteinuria reduction was similar across all eGFRs, age, and baseline proteinuria. Among MEST-C score parameters, T1 had a negative impact on the antiproteinuric effect of dapagliflozin (p = 0.01) No hypoglycemic events were reported and no deaths occurred. Conclusion In the present study, the use of SGLT2i was associated with a significant reduction of proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy and maximally tolerated RASi. We analyzed renal outcomes in association with pathologic features. We established that the presence of the T1 score has a negative impact on proteinuria reduction after SGLT2i treatment. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of the use of the Oxford Classification score for developing individual treatment therapies.

#1679 Relationship between initial eGFR DIP with proteinuria after SGLT2i treatment, in patients with IgA nephropathy. A real-world clinical study

Abstract Background and Aims Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are associated with better cardiovascular outcomes and with nephroprotection independent of diabetes status. Recent data suggest that SGLT2i significantly reduce proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, they often cause an initial decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The aim of our study was to assess the degree of proteinuria reduction after SGLT2i treatment in IgAN and its possible association with the initial functional dip in eGFR. Method 63 adult patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy, eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (CKD-epi), and total urine protein of >0.5 grams/day at screening were included. Patients with secondary IgAN were excluded. All receiving maximally tolerated RASi for at least 12 weeks. All patients started dapagliflozin 10 mg once per day after baseline data were registered. The total follow-up was 12 months. The main outcome was the decline in eGFR and the reduction in 24-hour proteinuria from SGLT2i initiation to 1,3, 6, 9, 12 months, end-stage renal disease, or kidney or cardiovascular death. Results 55 patients (38/17 M/F), with mean age of 44,2±18,3 years, completed follow up. 8 patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events attributed to dapagliflozin. At baseline eGFR was 66.17±19,7 ml/min/1.73 m2 and Upr: 2356±1023 mg/24H. There was a transient decline in eGFR, 30 days after initiation of dapagliflozin (66.17±19,7 min/1.73 m2 at baseline to 57 ml/min/1.73 m2) but then, there was an improvement at month 3 from baseline. The Upr/24H difference for dapagliflozin was −25.1% (95% CI −27.5, −23.2; p < 0.001) at the end of follow-up (month 12). Proteinuria reduction was similar across all eGFRs. Notably, a significant correlation was found between the initial eGFR dip and percentage proteinuria reduction in the 12th month. (R = –0.23; p = 0.03). Consistent results of dapagliflozin treatment on proteinuria were found in all analysis subgroups including sex, baseline proteinuria, systolic blood pressure, and body mass index. No hypoglycaemic events were reported and no deaths occurred. Conclusion In the present study, the use of SGLT2i was associated with a significant reduction of proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy in patients with maximally tolerated RASi. Higher initial eGFR dip after treatment initiation was a predictor of a significantly higher reduction in proteinuria at the end of follow-up. The correlation between eGFR dip and proteinuria reduction perhaps reflects the intraglomerular pressure reduction, mediated by tubuloglomerular feedback, one of the numerous.

#308 The impact of multimorbidity on the effects of empagliflozin in chronic kidney disease (CKD): exploratory analyses from the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

Abstract Background and Aims Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors slow kidney disease progression and reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD. Multimorbidity is common in CKD and associated with poor prognosis. Multimorbidity may identify patients with most to gain from, or at increased risk of adverse effects of, such treatment, so uncertainty exists around the risk-benefit profile. We assessed the effects of empagliflozin according to baseline multimorbidity, polypharmacy and health-related quality of life in EMPA-KIDNEY trial participants. Method EMPA-KIDNEY was a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial which compared empagliflozin 10 mg once daily versus placebo among 6609 patients with CKD (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03594110). Eligible patients had an eGFR of 20 to <45; or 45 to <90 ml/min/1.73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) ≥200 mg/g. Multimorbidity was defined by the presence or absence of eight self-reported conditions at randomisation (diabetes, heart failure, ischaemic heart disease [any history of myocardial infarction or angina], cerebrovascular disease [any history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack], peripheral arterial disease, atrial fibrillation, peripheral neuropathy and gout), in addition to CKD. Polypharmacy was derived from the number of concomitant medications recorded at randomisation. Health-related quality of life at randomisation was assessed using the EuroQoL EQ-5D-5L tool. To enable subgroup analyses, participants were categorised into approximate thirds of each variable's distribution. The relative effects of allocation to empagliflozin versus placebo on the trial's pre-specified efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed using Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex, region, eGFR, uACR and diabetes status. Tests for heterogeneity across subgroups were used to assess for any evidence that multimorbidity modifies relative treatment effects, and used to inform approaches to estimate absolute benefits. Results The median (Q1-Q3) number of comorbid conditions (other than CKD) recorded at randomisation was 1 (0-2); range 0-7. At randomisation, the median (Q1-Q3) number of concomitant medications recorded was 7 (5-10), range 0-36, and polypharmacy (≥5 medications) was prevalent in 5044/6609 (76%) of participants. There was considerable overlap between multimorbidity, polypharmacy and deficits in health-related quality of life (Fig. 1). Empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death by 28% (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.64-0.82). There was no evidence of heterogeneity relative effects by categories reflecting multimorbidity, nor by level of polypharmacy or self-reported quality of life at randomisation (P value for heterogeneity all >0.05; Fig. 2). Absolute benefits for the primary outcome were at least as large in the highest categories of multimorbidity or polypharmacy versus the lowest (and for those with poorer versus greater health-related quality of life). Safety outcomes were infrequent with no evidence of a difference in effect by baseline levels of multimorbidity, polypharmacy or quality of life, including no excess of symptomatic dehydration or fractures. Conclusion In EMPA-KIDNEY, the estimated absolute benefits of empagliflozin on kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death substantially outweigh potential for harm, irrespective of multimorbidity, polypharmacy or quality of life. The analyses encourage safe widespread use of SGLT2 inhibitors in CKD.

#3115 Effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with glomerulonephritis: a single center experience

Abstract Background and Aims Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have become widely used in recent years because of favorable outcomes on kidney function in people with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The main effect of SGLT2 inhibitors is inhibiting sodium and glucose reabsorption, acting precisely in the early proximal tubule of the renal nephron. Although these drugs developed as glucose-lowering agents for their capability to induce glycosuria, cardiovascular outcome studies found that the reduction in kidney function was significantly delayed, and the incidence of severe decline in kidney function was reduced in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Later on, these outcomes were confirmed by the results of the DAPA-CKD, EMPA-KIDNEY, and CREDENCE studies, which were specific outcome trials in patients with CKD. However, data about the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with glomerulonephritis at routine clinical practice are still limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors use in patients with glomerulonephritis. Method Patients diagnosed with biopsy-proven GN who continued their routine follow-up in Etlik City Hospital nephrology clinic were retrospectively examined. Patients with a steroid treatment history for GN were excluded from this study. We identified 29 patients who were treated with SGLT2 inhibitors for proteinuria. We analyzed the baseline characteristics, comorbidities, GN types, and laboratory parameters (baseline, sixth and twelfth months at the follow-up). Each patient was matched to the control with a similar baseline feature under conservative therapy (n = 29). Both patient groups were treated in line with the KDIGO glomerulonephritis guideline and were received RAAS blockers at the maximum tolerated dose. According to baseline levels, the reduction rate in proteinuria and eGFR of the sixth and twelfth months were calculated as percentages. The study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The local ethical committee approved the study design. Results Our study involved 58 patients diagnosed with 32 (55%) IgA nephropathy, 16 (28%) with membranous nephropathy, and 10 (17%) with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. In the treatment group, 23 (79%) patients used dapagliflozin, and 6 (21%) used empagliflozin as SGLT2 inhibitors. Baseline proteinuria levels at [1940 (1780-2700 mg/d) vs. 1890 (1670-2400 mg/d); p = 0.8], eGFRs [60 (44-82) vs. 64 (46-80) ml/min/1.73 m2; p = 0.8] and serum albumin levels (39.6 ± 0.3 vs. 39.1 ± 0.2; p = 0.4) were similar between both groups. The proteinuria reduction rate in the sixth month was 34% (27.3-40.5) for the treatment group and 12% (6.9-20.7) for the control group (<0.0001). Besides, the reduction rate was still higher in the treatment group at the 12th month [50.5% (39-52.6) vs. 26.3% (17.2-35.4); p ≤ 0.0001]. eGFR declining rate at 6th months and 12th months were lower in SGLT2 group than the control group [3.1% (0-6.2) vs. 8.6% (4.1-16.6); p = 0.004 and 0.8% (0-5) vs. 5.9% (3.3-15.2); 0.005, respectively] (Table 1). Proteinuria levels at 6th months were 1170 (970-1890) mg/d and 1730 (1180-2100) mg/d for treatment and control group, respectively. At 12th months, median proteinuria level of SGLT2 group was 940 (840-1480) mg/d and control group was 1250 (1120- 2040) mg/d (Fig. 1). Conclusion In this study with a well-matched control group, we found that SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in mitigating the decline in estimated GFR and reducing albuminuria in patients with GN. However, randomized-controlled trials are still required specific to patients with GN.

Cardiovascular outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundCancer patients with diabetes are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases due to common risk factors and well-documented drug-associated cardiotoxicity. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown cardiovascular benefits in patients with diabetes, but their effects on cancer patients remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy in patients with concomitant diabetes and cancer.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies comparing cardiovascular outcomes between cancer patients with diabetes receiving SGLT2 inhibitors and those not receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to February 29, 2024. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcomes were heart failure hospitalization, and adverse events. Random-effect models were used to calculate pooled risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to identify potential sources of heterogeneity and explore the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on mitigating cardiotoxicity.ResultsNine cohort studies involving 82,654 patients were included. SGLT2 inhibitor use was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.31–0.68, P < 0.0001; I2 = 98%) and heart failure hospitalization (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.30–0.81, P = 0.006; I2 = 21%) compared to non-use. The mortality benefit remained significant in patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28–0.89, P = 0.02; I2 = 71%). SGLT2 inhibitor use was also associated with a lower risk of sepsis (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.23–0.44, P < 0.00001; I2 = 0%) and no increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.20–2.16, P = 0.49; I2 = 0%).ConclusionsSGLT2 inhibitor therapy is associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization in patients with concomitant diabetes and cancer. These findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may offer cardiovascular benefits in this high-risk population. Randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings and evaluate the safety and efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in specific cancer types and treatment regimens.

The efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in solid organ transplant recipients: A scoping review.

Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are used for the treatment of diabetes and for their cardiovascular and kidney benefits in patients with or without diabetes. Use in solid organ transplant recipients is controversial because transplant recipients were excluded from the major clinical trials assessing SGLT2 inhibitors. The goal of this review was to assess the available literature regarding the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in solid organ transplant recipients. A PubMed search was conducted for studies published in English through December 31, 2023. Studies were excluded if they were meta-analyses, review articles, commentaries, single case reports, or invitro studies, or did not involve the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in solid organ transplant recipients with a diabetic, cardiovascular, or kidney outcome being assessed. In the final review, 20 studies were included: kidney (n = 15), heart (n = 4), and liver/lung/kidney (n = 1) transplant recipients. SGLT2 inhibitors had similar A1c reduction efficacy and were found to be weight neutral with possible weight reduction effects. Cardiovascular and kidney outcomes were not adequately assessed in the available studies. Adverse effects were reported to occur at a similar rate in transplant recipients compared to the general population. SGLT2 inhibitors were initiated ≥1-year post-transplant in most transplant recipients included in these studies. The overall safety and antihyperglycemic efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in kidney and heart transplant recipients is similar to the general population. Data assessing SGLT2 inhibitors use in solid organ transplant recipients for longer durations are needed.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors improve cardiovascular outcomes post-acute coronary syndrome complicated by acute heart failure.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a risk factor for heart failure (HF). Therefore, we aimed to assess the cardioprotective role of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors post-ACS in patients with acute HF (AHF) and diabetes. We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study employing propensity score matching. This study involved patients with diabetes admitted with ACS complicated by AHF, defined as either new clinical HF requiring diuretics during the index admission or having an ejection fraction (EF) of <40%. The study population was divided into two groups; (1) SGLT2 inhibitor users and (2) SGLT2 inhibitor non-users. The Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to evaluate the outcomes. A total of 465 patients (93% male; mean age, 55 ± 10 years) were included in this study. Using a 1 : 1 propensity score matching, 78 patients were included per arm with an absolute standardized difference of <0.1 for all baseline characteristics. The use of SGLT2 inhibitors resulted in lower composite outcomes of ACS, HF hospitalization, and all-cause mortality at 1 month and 12 months [1 month: 2.6% vs. 11.5%, HR = 0.20 (0.04-0.94), p = 0.041; 12 months: 14.1% vs. 23.1%, HR = 0.46 (0.22-0.99), p = 0.046]. The findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may confer cardioprotective effects in ACS-induced AHF, thereby widening the spectrum for indications of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Clinical Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Patients After Acute Myocardial Infarction: AComparison of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors vs. Non-Users.

To compare clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) vs. non-use of SGLT2i. A national cohort study based on the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database enrolled 944 patients with T2D who had experienced AMI and were treated with SGLT2i and 8,941 patients who did not receive SGLT2i, respectively, from May 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019. We used propensity score matching to balance covariates across study groups. The follow-up period was from the index date to the independent occurrence of the study outcomes, discontinuation of the index drug, or the end of the study period (December 31, 2020), whichever occurred first. The SGLT2i group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular death (0.865% per year vs. 2.048% per year; hazard ratio (HR): 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24-0.76; P = 0.0042), heart failure hospitalization (1.987% per year vs. 3.395% per year; HR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.39-0.89; P = 0.0126), and all-cause mortality (3.406% per year vs. 4.981% per year, HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50-0.95; P = 0.0225) compared with the non-SGLT2i group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of AMI, ischemic stroke, coronary revascularization, major adverse cardiovascular events, composite renal outcomes, or lower limb amputation. These findings suggest that the use of SGLT2i may have favorable effects on clinical outcomes in patients with T2D after AMI.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors attenuate vascular calcification by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum protein thioredoxin domain containing 5 dependent osteogenic reprogramming

AimsVascular calcification is strongly linked to the development of major adverse cardiovascular events, but effective treatments are lacking. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are an emerging category of oral hypoglycemic drugs that have displayed marked effects on metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, including recently reported vascular medial calcification. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors in vascular calcification have not been fully elucidated. Thus, we aimed to further determine whether SGLT2 inhibitors protect against vascular calcification and to investigate the mechanisms involved. Methods and resultsA computed tomography angiography investigation of coronary arteries from 1554 patients with type 2 diabetes revealed that SGLT2 inhibitor use was correlated with a lower Agatston calcification score. In the vitamin D3 overdose, 5/6 nephrectomy chronic kidney disease-induced medial calcification and Western diet-induced atherosclerotic intimal calcification models, dapagliflozin (DAPA) substantially alleviated vascular calcification in the aorta. Furthermore, we showed that DAPA reduced vascular calcification via Runx2-dependent osteogenic transdifferentiation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Transcriptome profiling revealed that thioredoxin domain containing 5 (TXNDC5) was involved in the attenuation of vascular calcification by DAPA. Rescue experiments showed that DAPA-induced TXNDC5 downregulation in VSMCs blocked the protective effect on vascular calcification. Furthermore, TXNDC5 downregulation disrupted protein folding-dependent Runx2 stability and promoted subsequent proteasomal degradation. Moreover, DAPA downregulated TXNDC5 expression via amelioration of oxidative stress and ATF6-dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress. Consistently, the class effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on vascular calcification were validated with empagliflozin in intimal and medial calcification models. ConclusionsSGLT2 inhibitors ameliorate vascular calcification through blocking endoplasmic reticulum stress-dependent TXNDC5 upregulation and promoting subsequent Runx2 proteasomal degradation, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors are potentially beneficial for vascular calcification treatment and prevention.

Real-Time Use of SGLT2i Verified in Pre-dialysis: The RSVP Cross-sectional Study.

The use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in nephrology practice is increasingly becoming standard of care in patients with diabetes or those with proteinuria. The primary outcome was to identify the proportion of pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) G3a, G3b, or G4 prescribed an SGLT2i and describe their characteristics. This was a retrospective, multicentric, cross-sectional study of patients with CKD followed at 4 pre-dialysis clinics in the province of Quebec, Canada. We collected data of multiple covariates associated with prescribing SGLT2i in patients over 18 years of age with CKD G3a, G3b, or G4. We then performed a multivariate logistic regression to assess their associations. Of the 874 patients included, 22.7% were prescribed an SGLT2i. Factors most strongly associated included male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 4.88, 95% CI = 2.38-10.03), being prescribed metformin (OR = 4.30, 95% CI = 2.23-8.31), having type 2 diabetes (OR = 4.00, 95% CI = 1.86-8.62), or having an albumin-to-creatinine ratio greater than 300 mg/g (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.08-3.14). The majority of patients (60.4%) had their SGLT2i initiated by the pre-dialysis clinic and the most frequent adverse event was an initial increase in serum creatinine 1 week after starting treatment (33.9%). An increasing number of patients with CKD are being prescribed SGLT2i. Nonetheless, significant disparities in sex, severity of disease, and comorbidities remain. We suggest that specific strategies be put in place to promote prescribing of SGLT2i in women and other at-risk populations, in particular among nephrology teams, to improve patient care.

Race and ethnicity and pharmacy dispensing of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i) and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RA) improve cardiorenal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Equitable use of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA has the potential to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. We evaluated trends in pharmacy dispensing of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA by race and ethnicity. Retrospective cohort study of patients (≥18 years) with type 2 diabetes using 2014-2022 electronic health record data from six US care delivery systems. Entry was at earliest pharmacy dispensing of any type 2 diabetes medication. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association between pharmacy dispensing of SGLT2i and GLP1-RA and race and ethnicity. Our cohort included 687,165 patients (median 6 years of dispensing data; median 60 years; 0.3% American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), 16.6% Asian, 10.5% Black, 1.4% Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (HPI), 31.1% Hispanic, 3.8% Other, and 36.3% White). SGLT2i was lower for AI/AN (OR 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.68-0.94), Black (0.89, 0.86-0.92) and Hispanic (0.87, 0.85-0.89) compared to White patients. GLP-1 RA was lower for AI/AN (0.78, 0.63-0.97), Asian (0.50, 0.48-0.53), Black (0.86, 0.83-0.90), HPI (0.52, 0.46-0.57), Hispanic (0.69, 0.66-0.71), and Other (0.78, 0.73-0.83) compared to White patients. Dispensing of SGLT2is, and GLP-1 RAs was lower in minority group patients. There is a need to evaluate approaches to increase use of these cardiorenal protective drugs in patients from racial and ethnic minority groups with type 2 diabetes to reduce adverse cardiorenal outcomes and improve health equity. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and National Institutes of Health.

Comparative effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in improvement of fatty liver index in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: A retrospective nationwide claims database study in Japan.

To date, there are limited clinical studies and real-world evidence investigating whether sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are associated with improved hepatic steatosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of SGLT2i compared with that of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in improving the fatty liver index (FLI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This retrospective cohort study included new users of SGLT2i or DPP4i with T2DM and MASLD from a large claims database (JMDC Claims Database). The primary outcome was the incidence of improvement of the FLI. Cox proportional hazard models, weighted using propensity scores for predicting the initiation of treatment, were fitted to estimate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Time-course changes in the FLI values were also assessed. This study included 9127 SGLT2i and 12 286 DPP4i initiators. SGLT2i showed a higher incidence of improvement in the FLI (≥30%, ≥40% and ≥50% reduction from baseline FLI) compared with DPP4i, and the weighted hazard ratios were 1.27 (95% CI 1.18-1.38), 1.24 (95% CI 1.13-1.37) and 1.19 (95% CI 1.05-1.33), respectively. SGLT2i indicated a greater decreased in FLI values compared with DPP4i at up to 3 years of the follow-up period. SGLT2is use appeared to be associated with a greater improvement of the FLI than DPP4i use in patients with T2DM and MASLD. In the absence of direct head-to-head comparisons from clinical studies, our study, using real-world data, may support physicians' decision-making in clinical practice.

PREDICTORS OF KIDNEY EVENTS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE PATIENTS

Objective: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have a favorable impact on the kidney function in patients with heart failure (HF), while there is no clear evidence of what factors predict this effect. The aim of the study was to identify plausible predictors for kidney function outcome among patients with HF and investigate their association with SGLT2i. Design and method: We prospectively enrolled 480 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with diet and metformin and concomitant chronic HF and followed them for 52 weeks. We determined kidney outcome as a composite event that includes &gt;40% reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline, newly diagnosed end-stage CKD or kidney replacement therapy. The relevant medical information and measurement of the biomarkers were collected at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: The composite kidney outcome was detected in 88 (18.3%) patients of the entire population. All patients received guideline-recommended optimal therapy, which was adjusted to phenotype/severity of HF, cardiovascular risk and comorbidity profiles, and fasting glycaemia. Levels of irisin, adropin and apelin significantly increased in patients without clinical endpoint, whereas in those with composite endpoint the biomarker levels exhibited a decrease with borderline statistical significance (Figure 1). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that use of SGLT2i (OR=0.92 p=0.048), baseline serum levels of irisin &lt;4.50 ng/ml (OR=1.51, p=0.001) and adropin &lt;2.10 ng/ml (OR=1.15, p=0.001) along with and a &lt;15% increase in the levels of these biomarkers (OR=1.60, p=0.001)and &lt;6% (OR=1.21, p=0.001), respectively, remained an independent predictor for composite kidney endpoint. We established that irisin &lt;4.5 ng/ml and &lt;15% increase in irisin serum levels added more valuable predictive information than the reference variable. However, the combination of irisin &lt;4.5 ng/ml at baseline and &lt;15% increase in irisin serum levels (area under curve = 0.91, 95% confident interval = 0.87-0.95) improved the discriminative value of each biomarker alone. Conclusions: We suggest that low levels of irisin and its inadequate increase during administration of SGLT2i are promising predictors for unfavorable kidney outcome among patients with T2DM and concomitant HF

Assessment of Knowledge and Perception of Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors Prescription among Physicians in Saudi Arabia.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are a new class of medications that have been proven to improve both glycemic control and cardio-renal outcomes. The knowledge, attitude, and perception toward their prescriptions in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, are still unknown. The study aimed to measure the level of knowledge and attitude toward sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors prescription among physicians in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS 23rd version. Frequency and percentages were used to display categorical variables. Minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation were used to test numerical variables. Independent t-test and ANOVA test were both utilized to test the factors associated with knowledge and attitude toward the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors. A total of 65 participants were included in the study. 26.2% had a low knowledge level, 30.8% had a moderate knowledge level, and 43.1% had a high knowledge level of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. 9.2% had a low attitude level, 43.1% had a moderate attitude level, and 47.7% had a high attitude level toward sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Age, professional status, years of experience, and specialty were significantly associated with attitude but not with the knowledge of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors prescription. While the study cohort scored high in the knowledge and attitude domains of the survey, a large proportion failed to answer very essential questions in type 2 diabetes management. An educational awareness program needs to be carried out to strengthen the physicians' knowledge of SGLT2 inhibitors prescription.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and the Risk for Dialysis and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.

No studies have reported the long-term outcomes of initiating sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rates less than 20 mL/min/1.73 m2 to predialysis. To compare the risk for dialysis, cardiovascular events, and death between SGLT2i users and nonusers in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Target trial emulation study. Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). By applying sequential target trial emulation principle, 23 854 SGLT2i users and 23 892 SGLT2i nonusers were selected from the NHIRD for patients with T2D and stage 5 CKD from 1 May 2016 to 31 October 2021. Conditional Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the risks for dialysis, hospitalization for heart failure, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), acute kidney injury (AKI), and all-cause mortality between SGLT2i users and nonusers. In the intention-to-treat model, compared with no SGLT2i use, SGLT2i use was associated with lower risks for dialysis (hazard ratio [HR], 0.34 [95% CI, 0.27 to 0.43]), hospitalization for heart failure (HR, 0.80 [CI, 0.73 to 0.86]), AMI (HR, 0.61 [CI, 0.52 to 0.73]), DKA (HR, 0.78 [CI, 0.71 to 0.85]), and AKI (HR, 0.80 [CI, 0.70 to 0.90]), but there was no difference in the risk for all-cause mortality (HR, 1.11 [CI, 0.99 to 1.24]). The Kaplan-Meier curves and subgroup analyses also showed that initiation of an SGLT2i in stage 5 CKD was associated with a lower risk for long-term dialysis than no SGLT2i use. This result may not apply to patients without T2D. This emulated target trial showed that SGLT2i use was associated with a lower risk for dialysis, cardiovascular events, DKA, and AKI than no SGLT2i use in patients with T2D and stage 5 CKD. National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan.

Cardioprotective Potential of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Patients With Cancer Treated With Anthracyclines: An Observational Study

Anthracyclines are pivotal in cancer treatment, yet their clinical utility is hindered by the risk of cardiotoxicity. Preclinical studies highlight the effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in mitigating anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Nonetheless, the translation of these findings to clinical practice remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the safety and potential of SGLT2i for preventing cardiotoxicity in patients with cancer, without preexisting heart failure (HF), receiving anthracyclines therapy. Using the TriNetX Global Research Network, patients with cancer, without previous HF diagnosis, receiving anthracycline therapy were identified and classified into 2 groups based on SGLT2i usage. A 1:1 propensity score matching was used to control for baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. Patients were followed for 2 years. The primary end point was new-onset HF, and the secondary end points were HF exacerbation, new-onset arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality, and all-cause hospitalization. Safety outcomes included acute renal failure and creatinine levels. A total of 79,074 patients were identified, and 1,412 were included post-matching (706 in each group). They comprised 53% females, 62% White, with a mean age of 62.5 ± 11.4 years. Over the 2-year follow-up period, patients on SGLT2i had lower rates of new-onset HF (hazard ratio 0.147, 95% confidence interval 0.073 to 0.294) and arrhythmia (hazard ratio 0.397, 95% confidence interval 0.227 to 0.692) compared with those not on SGLT2i. The incidence of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, all-cause hospitalization, and safety outcomes were similar between both groups. In conclusion, among patients with cancer receiving anthracycline therapy without preexisting HF, SGLT2i use demonstrates both safety and effectiveness in reducing anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, with a decreased incidence of new-onset HF, HF exacerbation, and arrhythmias.

SGLT2i impact on HCC incidence in patients with fatty liver disease and diabetes: a nation-wide cohort study in South Korea.

This study evaluated the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on cancer development, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in individuals with concomitant fatty liver disease (FLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Using data from Korea's Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we performed Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and T2DM (NAFLD-T2DM cohort) and those with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) alongside FLD and T2DM (FLD-T2DM-CVH cohort). In the propensity score (PS) matched NAFLD-T2DM cohort (N = 107,972), SGLT2i use was not associated with the occurrence of overall cancer, including HCC. However, old age, male sex, liver cirrhosis, and hypothyroidism were identified as independent risk factors for HCC occurrence, whereas statin and fibrate usage were associated with reduced HCC risk in this cohort in multivariate Cox analysis. In the PS-matched FLD-T2DM-CVH cohort (N = 2798), a significant decrease in HCC occurrence was observed among SGLT2i users (P = 0.03). This finding remained consistent in the multivariate Cox regression analysis (Hazard ratio = 2.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-4.85, P = 0.048). In conclusion, SGLT2i may be a beneficial option for diabetes management in patients with concomitant T2DM, FLD, and CVH while affirming the overall safety of SGLT2i in other types of cancer.