A review of the mechanism of action, metabolic profile and haemodynamic effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors

Dapagliflozin for heart failure: is it a class effect?

Dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor used in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, has been recently approved for the control of worsening cardiovascular events, including deaths and hospitalizations, in adults with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Previously, canagliflozin had a label change with regards to its additional usage in the reduction of risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with both Type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy with albuminuria. On the other hand, the therapeutic application of empagliflozin and ertugliflozin in heart failure is yet to be delineated comprehensively. The beneficial effects of these SGLT2 inhibitors, dapagliflozin in particular, in heart failure are found to be independent of neither the glucose-lowering nor the SGLT2 inhibiting effects.

The magic of small structure differences in a sodium-glucose cotransporter drug discovery project-14 C-labelled drug candidates in a key-differentiating study

We describe the dramatic differences in the synthesis and physiological and pharmacokinetical profiling of two sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) drug candidates AVE2268 and AVE8887 with very similar chemical structures. It is a classic example of how a radioactive study was able to spare resources in preclinical development prior to entering a costly clinical program. It also demonstrated that radioactive compounds can be used to study differences between two very similar compounds in vivo.

Can dapagliflozin have a protective effect against COVID-19 infection? A hypothesis

It has been reported that frequent occurrence of COVID-19 infection in these patients is associated with low cytosolic pH. During virus infection, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level excessively rises. LDH is a cytosolic enzyme and the serum level increases as the cell break down. When anaerobic conditions develop, lactate formation increases from pyruvate. Cell pH is regulated by very complex mechanisms. When lactate increases in the extracellular area, this symporter carries lactate and H⁺ ion into the cell, and the intracellular pH quickly becomes acidic. Paradoxically, Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger activation takes place. While H⁺ ion is thrown out of the cell, Na⁺ and Ca⁺² enter the cell. When Na⁺ and Ca⁺² increase in the cell, the cells swell and die. Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor. Dapagliflozin has been reported to reduce lactate levels by various mechanisms. Also, it reduces oxygen consumption in tissues and causes the use of glucose in the aerobic pathway, thereby reducing lactate production. A lactate decrease in the environment reduces the activation of lactate/H⁺ symporter. Thus, the H ion pumping into the cell by this symporter is reduced and the cytosolic pH is maintained. Dapagliflozin also directly inhibits NHE. Thus, Na⁺ and Ca⁺² flow to the cell are inhibited. Dapagliflozin provides the continuation of the structure and functions of the cells. Dapagliflozin can prevent the severe course of COVID-19 infection by preventing the lowering of cytosolic pH and reducing the viral load.

Risk factors for genital infections in people initiating SGLT2 inhibitors and their impact on discontinuation

INTRODUCTION

To identify risk factors, absolute risk, and impact on treatment discontinuation of genital infections with sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We assessed the relationship between baseline characteristics and genital infection in 21 004 people with type 2 diabetes initiating SGLT2i and 55 471 controls initiating dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in a UK primary care database. We assessed absolute risk of infection in those with key risk factors and the association between early genital infection and treatment discontinuation.

RESULTS

Genital infection was substantially more common in those treated with SGLT2i (8.1% within 1 year) than DPP4i (1.8%). Key predictors of infection with SGLT2i were female sex (HR 3.64; 95% CI 3.23 to 4.11) and history of genital infection; <1 year before initiation (HR 4.38; 3.73 to 5.13), 1-5 years (HR 3.04; 2.64 to 3.51), and >5 years (HR 1.79; 1.55 to 2.07). Baseline HbA1c was not associated with infection risk for SGLT2i, in contrast to DPP4i where risk increased with higher HbA1c. One-year absolute risk of genital infection with SGLT2i was highest for those with a history of prior infection (females 23.7%, males 12.1%), compared with those without (females 10.8%, males 2.7%). Early genital infection was associated with a similar discontinuation risk for SGLT2i (HR 1.48; 1.21-1.80) and DPP4i (HR 1.58; 1.21-2.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Female sex and history of prior infection are simple features that can identify subgroups at greatly increased risk of genital infections with SGLT2i therapy. These data can be used to risk-stratify patients. High HbA1c is not a risk factor for genital infections with SGLT2i.

Can dapagliflozin have a protective effect against COVID-19 infection? A hypothesis

It has been reported that frequent occurrence of COVID-19 infection in these patients is associated with low cytosolic pH. During virus infection, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level excessively rises. LDH is a cytosolic enzyme and the serum level increases as the cell break down. When anaerobic conditions develop, lactate formation increases from pyruvate. Cell pH is regulated by very complex mechanisms. When lactate increases in the extracellular area, this symporter carries lactate and H⁺ ion into the cell, and the intracellular pH quickly becomes acidic. Paradoxically, Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger activation takes place. While H⁺ ion is thrown out of the cell, Na⁺ and Ca⁺² enter the cell. When Na⁺ and Ca⁺² increase in the cell, the cells swell and die. Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor. Dapagliflozin has been reported to reduce lactate levels by various mechanisms. Also, it reduces oxygen consumption in tissues and causes the use of glucose in the aerobic pathway, thereby reducing lactate production. A lactate decrease in the environment reduces the activation of lactate/H⁺ symporter. Thus, the H ion pumping into the cell by this symporter is reduced and the cytosolic pH is maintained. Dapagliflozin also directly inhibits NHE. Thus, Na⁺ and Ca⁺² flow to the cell are inhibited. Dapagliflozin provides the continuation of the structure and functions of the cells. Dapagliflozin can prevent the severe course of COVID-19 infection by preventing the lowering of cytosolic pH and reducing the viral load.

Control of 24-hour blood pressure with SGLT2 inhibitors to prevent cardiovascular disease

The presence of hypertension (HTN) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) further worsens cardiovascular disease (CVD) prognosis. In addition, masked HTN and abnormal circadian blood pressure (BP) variability are common among patients with DM. Clinical trial data show that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve CVD prognosis and prevent progression of renal dysfunction in high-risk patients with type 2 DM (T2DM). Consistent reductions in 24-hour, daytime and nocturnal BP have been documented during treatment with SGLT2i in patients with DM and HTN, and these reductions are of a magnitude that is likely to be clinically significant. SGLT2i agents also appear to have beneficial effects on morning, evening and nocturnal home BP. Greater reductions in BP during treatment with SGLT2i have been reported in patient subgroups with higher body mass index, and in those with higher baseline BP. Other documented beneficial effects of SGLT2i include reductions in arterial stiffness and the potential to decrease the apnea-hypopnea index in patients with DM and obstructive sleep apnea. Recent guidelines highlight the important role of SGLT2i as part of the pharmacological management of patients with DM and HTN, and recommend consideration of SGLT2i early in the clinical course to reduce all-cause and CVD mortality in patients with T2DM and CVD. Overall, available data support a role for SGLT2i as effective BP-lowering agents in patients with T2DM and poorly controlled HTN, irrespective of baseline glucose control status. Sustained improvements in 24-hour BP and the 24-hour BP profile are likely to contribute to the CVD benefits of SGLT2i treatment.

Effect of Hemoglobin A1c Reduction or Weight Reduction on Blood Pressure in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis

Background Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have shown their beneficial effects on cardiovascular outcomes and multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension. However, the mechanism of blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects of these agents has not been elucidated. This study aims to evaluate the effect of hemoglobin A1c reduction or body weight reduction with GLP-1RA treatment and SGLT2i treatment on BP changes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods and Results Studies were identified by a search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register until June 2019. Meta-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between hemoglobin A1c reduction or body weight reduction and changes of BP. A total of 184 trials were included. Both GLP-1RA and SGLT2i led to significant reductions in systolic BP (weighted mean difference, -2.856 and -4.331 mm Hg, respectively; P<0.001 for both) and diastolic BP (weighted mean difference, -0.898 and -2.279 mm Hg, respectively; P<0.001 for both). For both drug classes, hemoglobin A1c reduction was not independently associated with systolic BP reduction or diastolic BP reduction. In GLP-1RA treatment, weight reduction was positively associated with systolic BP reduction and diastolic BP reduction (β=0.821 and β=0.287, respectively; P<0.001 for both). In SGLT2i treatment, weight loss was significantly associated with systolic BP reduction (β=0.820; P=0.001) but was not associated with diastolic BP reduction. Conclusions Treatment with GLP-1RA and SGLT2i led to significant reductions in BP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Weight reduction was significantly and independently associated with BP reductions in GLP-1RA treatment and SGLT2i treatment.

A Low-Carbohydrate Diet Improves Glucose Metabolism in Lean Insulinopenic Akita Mice Along With Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor

OBJECTIVE

A low-carbohydrate diet (LC) can be beneficial to obese subjects with type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) presents prompt glucose-lowering effects in subjects with T2DM. We investigated how LC and SGLT2i could similarly or differently influence on the metabolic changes, including glucose, lipid, and ketone metabolism in lean insulinopenic Akita mice. We also examined the impacts of the combination.

METHODS

Male Akita mice were fed ad libitum normal-carbohydrate diet (NC) as a control or low-carbohydrate diet (LC) as an intervention for 8 weeks with or without SGLT2i treatment. Body weight and casual bold glucose levels were monitored during the study, in addition to measuring TG, NEFA, and ketone levels. We quantified gene expressions involved in gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism and ketogenesis in the liver and the kidney. We also investigated the immunostaining analysis of pancreatic islets to assess the effect of islet protection.

RESULTS

Both LC and SGLT2i treatment reduced chronic hyperglycemia. Moreover, the combination therapy additionally ameliorated glycemic levels and preserved the islet morphology in part. LC but not SGLT2i increased body weight accompanied by epididymal fat accumulation. In contrast, SGLT2i, not LC potentiated four-fold ketone production with higher ketogenic gene expression, in comparison with the non-treated Akita mice. Besides, the combination did not enhance further ketone production compared to the SGLT2i alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that both LC and SGLT2i reduced chronic hyperglycemia, and the combination presented synergistic favorable effects concomitantly with amelioration of islet morphology, while the combination did not enhance further ketosis in Akita mice.

Effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors on serum alanine aminotransferase levels in people with type 2 diabetes: A multi-institutional cohort study

Clinical trials have indicated that sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have a favourable effect on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but supporting evidence from real-world studies is lacking. We identified patients with T2D who initiated SGLT2 inhibitors during the period 2016 to 2017 from Chang Gung Research Database, which covers 1.3 million individuals from seven hospitals (6% of the Taiwan population). We classified patients by baseline ALT level and evaluated changes in ALT values from baseline to 1 year after initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors. We identified 11 690 new users of SGLT2 inhibitors with a mean (SD) age of 59.3 (11.8) years. The mean (SD) glycated haemoglobin and ALT levels were 8.9 (1.7)% and 34.7 (28.9) U/L at baseline, respectively. The mean change in ALT levels was -5.0 U/L (95% confidence interval [CI] -6.4, -3.5) 1 year after initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors. In patients with ALT levels ≤1× the upper limit of normal (ULN), the change in ALT levels was 1.6 U/L (95% CI -0.1, 3.4), while in those with ALT levels >1× ULN, the change in ALT levels was -26.5 U/L (95% CI -28.6, -24.3). The higher the baseline ALT level, the greater the decline after SGLT2 inhibitor treatment. Our findings suggest the initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors for T2D management could improve serum ALT levels in clinical practice, particularly in patients with especially high ALT levels.

The Druggability of Solute Carriers

The transport of materials across membranes is a vital process for all aspects of cellular function, including growth, metabolism, and communication. Protein transporters are the molecular gates that control this movement and serve as key points of regulation for these processes, thus representing an attractive class of therapeutic targets. With more than 400 members, the solute carrier (SLC) membrane transport proteins are the largest family of transporters, yet, they are pharmacologically underexploited relative to other protein families and many of the available chemical tools possess suboptimal selectivity and efficacy. Fortuitously, there is increased interest in elucidating the physiological roles of SLCs as well as growing recognition of their therapeutic potential. This Perspective provides an overview of the SLC superfamily, including their biochemical and functional features, as well as their roles in various human diseases. In particular, we explore efforts and associated challenges toward drugging SLCs, as well as highlight opportunities for future drug discovery.

Neuromodulatory effects of anti-diabetes medications: A mechanistic review

Diabetes mellitus is a potent upstream event in the molecular pathophysiology which gives rise to various diabetes-related complications. There are several classes of anti-diabetic medications that have been developed to normalize blood glucose concentrations through a variety of molecular mechanisms. Beyond glucose-lowering effects, these agents may also provide further therapeutic potential. For instance, there is a high incidence of diabetes-induced neuronal disorders among patients with diabetes, who may also develop neurodegenerative and psychological complications. If anti-diabetic agents can modify the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of neuronal comorbidities, this could potentially be translated to reducing the risk of other neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, memory deficits and cognition impairments among patients with diabetes. This review aimed to shed light on some of the potentially beneficial aspects of anti-diabetic agents in lowering the risk or treating neuronal disorders by reviewing the molecular mechanisms by which these agents can potentially modulate neuronal behaviors.

A comparison of sotagliflozin therapy for diabetes mellitus between week 24 with week 52 : A protocol for mixed treatment comparisons meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

According to the centers for disease control and prevention, 14% of American adults have diabetes - 10% know it, and more than 4% go undiagnosed. Sotagliflozin is a new type of diabetes drug This study is to compare the efficacy of Sotagliflozin therapy for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) between week 24 with week 52.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Through to October 2019, Web of Science, PubMed Database, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Clinical Trials and CNKI will be searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring SOTA therapy for DM. Strict screening and quality evaluation will be performed on the obtained literature independently by 2 researchers; outcome indexes will be extracted. The bias risk of the included studies will be evaluated based on Cochrane assessment tool. Meta-analysis will be performed on the data using Revman 5.3 software. We will provide practical and targeted results assessing the lost efficacy of SOTA therapy for DM from week 24 to week 52, to provide reference for clinicians.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The stronger evidence about the lost efficacy of SOTA for DM from week 24 to week 52 will be provided for clinicians.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42019133027.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY

Whether the efficacy of SOTA could last for a long time is still inconclusive, high quality research is still lacking, and this study attempts to explore this issue; The efficacy of SOTA at different times will be compared by direct comparisons and indirect comparisons, this can lead to more accurate and reliable results; The quality of the included literatures are uneven, and some data might be estimated by calculation, which may affect the quality of this study.

[Outcome studies on SGLT-2 inhibitors]

BACKGROUND

Inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporters type 2 (SGLT-2) are a class of oral antidiabetic drugs with a novel specific mode of action in the kidneys.

OBJECTIVE

The effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on cardiovascular (CV) and renal endpoints in outcome trials with type 2 diabetes patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Differential analysis and interpretation of the results of outcome trials with the SGLT-2 inhibitors empagliflozin, canagliflozin and dapagliflozin in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS

In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, empagliflozin demonstrated a significant reduction in major cardiac adverse events (MACE), hospitalization for heart failure (HHI), renal endpoints, CV and total mortality vs. placebo in >7000 patients with type 2 diabetes and established CV disease over 3.1 years. In the CANVAS program, canagliflozin demonstrated a significant reduction of MACE, HHI and renal endpoints vs. placebo in >10,000 patients with type 2 diabetes and high CV risk over 2.4 years. In the CREDENCE trial, canagliflozin demonstrated a significant reduction of a combined renal endpoint and CV endpoints vs. placebo in >4000 patients with type 2 diabetes and established kidney disease with albuminuria over 2.6 years. In the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial, dapagliflozin demonstrated a significant reduction in a combined endpoint of CV death and HHI vs. placebo in >17,000 patients with type 2 diabetes and established CV disease or with multiple CV risk factors over 3.1 years.

CONCLUSION

Outcome trials with SGLT-2 inhibitors have collectively demonstrated cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects in patients with type 2 diabetes and high CV risk. The use of SGLT-2 inhibitors is recommended in current guidelines and consensus statements as primary combination partners for metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes and established CV disease, high CV risk, heart failure or kidney disease.

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

Diabetes mellitus is strongly linked to high risk of cardiovascular and renal disorders. Diabetes management requires coordinated efforts to manage multiple cardiometabolic risk factors. Diabetes mellitus is also associated with poor outcome in patients after cardiovascular events and renal complications. However, whether specific antidiabetic agents are safer and more efficacious than other drugs for preventing and treating these cardiometabolic and renal diseases is debated. To date, results are available from 12 cardiovascular outcome trials focusing mainly on major adverse cardiovascular events and renal outcomes with new antidiabetic agents (4 with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, 3 with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and 5 with glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues). Among them, the studies of SGLT2 inhibitors showed favourable results both for cardiovascular and renal outcomes. It would be crucial to dissect the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiorenal and metabolic systems, to determine whether it is better to prescribe SGLT2 inhibitors compared with other antidiabetic medications.