Effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors on cardiorenal and metabolic systems: Latest perspectives from the outcome trials

Pharmacotherapy for patients with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex, chronic illness requiring continuous medical care with multifactorial riskreduction strategies besides glycemic control. The pathophysiology of type 2 DM is characterized by a combination of insulin resistance in peripheral organs, including the liver, adipose tissues, and muscle, and inadequate insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cells to compensate for insulin resistance, which eventually leads to β-cell failure. DM is accompanied by micro- and macro-vascular complications, including cardiovascular events and renal complications, resulting in high mortality rates. After insulin was first discovered in 1922, many antidiabetic agents including metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, and α-glucosidase inhibitors have been developed. Among them, metformin is the preferred pharmacologic agent for the initial treatment of DM. Recently, novel antidiabetic agents, such as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, were introduced and are currently available for clinical practice. Studies with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors showed non-inferiority compared with placebo, in terms of cardiovascular safety. Some glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide, semaglutide, albiglutide, and dulaglutide) showed favorable results in both cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dapagliflozin) also showed beneficial effects on cardiovascular and renal outcomes. It is important for clinicians to study novel DM medications and prescribe them accordingly to improve patients’ clinical outcomes.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition: towards an indication to treat diabetic kidney disease

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have clearly demonstrated their beneficial effect in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) on top of the standard of care [blood glucose control, renin–angiotensin system blockade, smoking cessation and blood pressure (BP) control], even in patients with overt DKD. However, the indication of this drug class is still blood glucose lowering in type 2 diabetic patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate >45 mL/min/1.73 m². Based on the new evidence, several scientific societies have emphasized the preferential prescription of SGLT2i for patients at risk of heart failure or kidney disease, but still within the limits set by health authorities. A rapid positioning of both the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration will allow patients with overt DKD to benefit from SGLT2i. Clinical experience suggests that SGLT2i safety management may in part mirror renin–angiotensin blockade safety management in patients with overt DKD. This review focuses on the rationale for an indication of SGTL2i in DKD. We further propose clinical steps for maximizing the safety of SGLT2i in DKD patients on other antidiabetic, BP or diuretic medication.

Glycemic Efficacy and Metabolic Consequences of an Empagliflozin Add-on versus Conventional Dose-Increasing Strategy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled by Metformin and Sulfonylurea

BACKGROUND

We assessed the glucose-lowering efficacy of adding empagliflozin versus dose escalating existing medications in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

This was a 6-month retrospective case-control study in subjects with uncontrolled T2D (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] >7%) on conventional treatment. The study group started add-on therapy with empagliflozin (10 mg once a day) while the control group was up-titrated with existing medication, using either monotherapy or a combination of metformin, sulfonylurea, and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. The primary endpoints included changes in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-hour postprandial glucose (PP2) levels. Secondary outcomes included changes in body composition, body mass index (BMI), and serum ketone bodies, and urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium, phosphorus, and glucose.

RESULTS

After treatment, the reduction in HbA1c was significantly greater in the empagliflozin group than in controls (from 8.6%±1.6% to 7.6%±1.5% vs. 8.5%±1.1% to 8.1%±1.1%; P<0.01). Similar patterns were found in FPG and PP2 levels. Empagliflozin decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, and abdominal visceral fat area decreased significantly while lean body mass was maintained. Total ketones, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate levels increased significantly after empagliflozin.

CONCLUSION

In addition to glucose lowering, an empagliflozin add-on regimen decreased blood pressure and body fat, and improved metabolic profiles significantly. Empagliflozin add-on is superior to dose escalation in patients with T2D who have inadequate glycemic control on standard medications.

Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in Japanese patients with inadequately controlled type 1 diabetes (DEPICT-5): 52-week results from a randomized, open-label, phase III clinical trial

AIMS

To investigate the safety and tolerability of 5 and 10 mg dapagliflozin added to insulin therapy over 52 weeks in Japanese patients with inadequately controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre phase III clinical trial was conducted from October 26, 2015 to June 15, 2017. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of adverse events such as hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. Secondary endpoints included changes in glycaemic parameters, total daily insulin dosage and body weight over time. The efficacy of dapagliflozin in patients stratified by body mass index (BMI) <25.0 and ≥25.0 kg/m² was evaluated in a subgroup analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 151 patients received 5 mg (n = 76) or 10 mg (n = 75) dapagliflozin once daily for 52 weeks. Adverse events were observed in 88.2% and 73.3% of patients in the 5 and 10 mg dapagliflozin groups, respectively. Severe hypoglycaemia was reported in 2.6% (n = 2) and 6.7% (n = 5) of patients, and diabetic ketoacidosis in 2.6% (n = 2) and 1.3% (n = 1) of patients in the 5 and 10 mg dapagliflozin groups, respectively. The adjusted mean (95% confidence interval) changes in glycated haemoglobin at week 52 were -0.33% (-0.50, -0.15) and -0.36% (-0.53, -0.18) in the 5 and 10 mg dapagliflozin groups, respectively. There were no differences in efficacy parameters when stratified by BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the long-term safety and tolerability of dapagliflozin added to insulin therapy in Japanese patients with inadequately controlled T1DM.