Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin by Baseline Glycemic Status: A Prespecified Analysis From the DAPA-CKD Trial

Baseline, Early Changes, and Residual Albuminuria: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial of Dapagliflozin in Chronic Kidney Disease

Key Points

Dapagliflozin reduced albuminuria in participants with CKD, with reductions being proportional to reductions in the risk of disease progression. Residual albuminuria (at month 4) was linked to higher risks of primary and kidney end points, with no heterogeneity by diabetes status or allocated treatment. Participants with residual albuminuria at month 4 had high rates of kidney end points, implying the need for added therapy for long-term kidney and cardiovascular benefits.

Background

Albuminuria is a strong indicator of kidney and cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD. We assessed risk associations between albuminuria at baseline and 4 months after randomization in a placebo-controlled trial of dapagliflozin and kidney end points in patients with CKD and albuminuria, with and without type 2 diabetes.

Methods

In this post hoc analysis of the dapagliflozin and prevention of adverse outcomes in CKD (DAPA-CKD) trial, 4304 adult patients with CKD were randomized to dapagliflozin 10 mg or placebo as an adjunct to maximally tolerated renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. The primary end point was a composite of sustained ≥50% decline in eGFR, kidney failure, or death from kidney or cardiovascular cause. The kidney composite end point was similar, but excluded cardiovascular death. We assessed associations among baseline albuminuria, early change in albuminuria (baseline to month 4), and residual albuminuria (month 4) with the primary composite and kidney composite end points using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.

Results

Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin reduced urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (baseline to month 4) by 36.4% (95% confidence interval, 30.2% to 42.5%) and 20.5% (95% confidence interval, 11.6% to 29.5%) in participants with and without type 2 diabetes, respectively (P -interaction: 0.02). A reduction in urinary albumin–creatinine ratio from baseline to month 4 was associated with a lower risk of the primary and kidney composite end points with a similar risk gradient for participants with and without type 2 diabetes (P -interaction: 0.10 and 0.19, respectively). Residual albuminuria was associated with a similar risk of the primary and kidney composite end points in each treatment arm (P -interaction: 0.19 and 0.18, respectively).

Conclusions

Dapagliflozin reduced albuminuria, and the magnitude of albuminuria reduction showed similar proportional reductions in risks of the primary and kidney composite end points in participants with and without type 2 diabetes. Participants with residual albuminuria at month 4—whether randomized to dapagliflozin or placebo—experienced relatively high rates of CKD progression kidney end points, suggesting that therapies added to renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and dapagliflozin may be required to sustain kidney and cardiovascular health.

Clinical trial registry name and registration number:

A Study to Evaluate the Effect of Dapagliflozin on Renal Outcomes and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients with CKD (DAPA-CKD), NCT03036150 .

Prediabetes and CKD: Does a causal relationship exist

The relationship between diabetes and the development of kidney complications is well known, but the understanding of prediabetes and insulin resistance with impaired kidney function has been scarcely assessed. Various factors could explain this phenomenon, from the lack of standardization in the definitions of prediabetes, to the erratic and inconsistent evidence in large-scale epidemiological and cohort studies. It seems that the pathophysiological pathway of prediabetes could be related to inflammation and neurohormonal hyperactivation, factors present even before the onset of diabetes, which might be the main drivers of glomerular hyperfiltration, albuminuria, and impaired glomerular filtration rate. It is possible that existing treatments for the management of diabetes, as metformin or SGLT2 inhibitors may also be useful in patients with prediabetes with evidence of functional and structural kidney damage. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence regarding the relationship between prediabetes (preDM) and the development of CKD.

Cardiovascular Outcomes of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Therapy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) may depend on renal function, and this raises theoretical concern over its effects on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

This systematic review and updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared cardiovascular outcomes of patients with T2DM and CKD treated with SGLT2i to placebo. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were systematically searched. Prespecified subgroup analyses were performed in strata of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <45 mL/min/1.73 m² and 45 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m².

RESULTS

Nine RCTs comprising 29,146 patients were selected. Average follow-up ranged from 0.75 to 4.2 years. SGLT2i were shown to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-0.97; p=0.01), the composite of cardiovascular mortality or hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF: HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65-0.78; p<0.001), cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.98; p=0.02), HHF (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.55-0.71; p<0.001), major adverse cardiovascular events (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77-0.94; p=0.002), stroke (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.97; p=0.03), and myocardial infarction (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.91; p=0.001). These findings were consistent over strata of eGFR, albeit with a lower incidence of stroke in patients treated with SGLT2i with eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m² (p-value for interaction=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with a placebo, patients with T2DM and CKD treated with SGLT2i experience a reduction in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and HHF.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42023401081.

Applications of SGLT2 inhibitors beyond glycaemic control

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were initially developed for their glucose-lowering effects and have shown a modest glycaemic benefit in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In the past decade, a series of large, robust clinical trials of these therapies have demonstrated striking beneficial effects for various care goals, transforming the chronic disease therapeutic landscape. Cardiovascular safety studies in people with T2DM demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure. Subsequent trials in participants with heart failure with reduced or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors have beneficial effects on heart failure outcomes. In dedicated kidney outcome studies, SGLT2 inhibitors reduced the incidence of kidney failure among participants with or without diabetes. Post hoc analyses have suggested a range of other benefits of these drugs in conditions as diverse as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, kidney stone prevention and anaemia. SGLT2 inhibitors have a generally favourable adverse effect profile, although patient selection and medication counselling remain important. Concerted efforts are needed to better integrate these agents into routine care and support long-term medication adherence to close the gap between clinical trial outcomes and those achieved in the real world.

Cardioprotective Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitor in Diabetic Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Propensity Score Matched Study

Introduction

Kidney transplantation (KT) improves the cardiovascular outcomes of patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of premature death and graft loss in KT recipients (KTRs) with diabetes. We evaluated the cardioprotective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in KTRs with diabetes.

Methods

A total of 750 KTRs with diabetes were enrolled from 6 tertiary hospitals. Among them, 129 patients (17.2%) were prescribed SGLT2i. The primary outcome was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which comprised myocardial infarction (MI), death from cardiovascular causes, hospitalization for heart failure, and stroke. Multivariable Cox regression analysis and propensity score matching were used to investigate the effect of SGLT2i on clinical outcomes.

Results

In the matched cohort, MACE occurred in 5 patients (3.9%) in the SGLT2i group and 15 patients (11.8%) in the non-SGLT2i group, out of 127 patients in each group over 55.3 months. The incidence of MACE and MI was lower in the SGLT2i group than in the non-SGLT2i group (P = 0.036 and 0.008, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the SGLT2i group had a lower risk of MACE and MI than the non-SGLT2i group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.30 and 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10-0.88 and 0.004-0.40; P = 0.028 and 0.006, respectively). There was no difference in the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

SGLT2i significantly decreased the risk of cardiovascular events in KTRs with diabetes, particularly lowering the incidence of MI and death from cardiovascular causes. SGLT2i can be used to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in KTRs with diabetes.

Combination therapy for kidney disease in people with diabetes mellitus

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), defined as co-existing diabetes and chronic kidney disease in the absence of other clear causes of kidney injury, occurs in approximately 20-40% of patients with diabetes mellitus. As the global prevalence of diabetes has increased, DKD has become highly prevalent and a leading cause of kidney failure, accelerated cardiovascular disease, premature mortality and global health care expenditure. Multiple pathophysiological mechanisms contribute to DKD, and single lifestyle or pharmacological interventions have shown limited efficacy at preserving kidney function. For nearly two decades, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors were the only available kidney-protective drugs. However, several new drug classes, including sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid antagonist and a selective endothelin receptor antagonist, have now been demonstrated to improve kidney outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, emerging preclinical and clinical evidence of the kidney-protective effects of glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists has led to the prospective testing of these agents for DKD. Research and clinical efforts are geared towards using therapies with potentially complementary efficacy in combination to safely halt kidney disease progression. As more kidney-protective drugs become available, the outlook for people living with DKD should improve in the next few decades.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for people with chronic kidney disease and diabetes

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is associated with high risks of premature chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular diseases, cardiovascular death and impaired quality of life. People with diabetes are more likely to develop kidney impairment, and approximately one in three adults with diabetes have CKD. People with CKD and diabetes experience a substantially higher risk of cardiovascular outcomes. Sodium-glucose co-transporter protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown potential effects in preventing kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in people with CKD and diabetes. However, new trials are emerging rapidly, and evidence synthesis is essential to summarising cumulative evidence.

OBJECTIVES

This review aimed to assess the benefits and harms of SGLT2 inhibitors for people with CKD and diabetes.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 17 November 2023 using a search strategy designed by an Information Specialist. Studies in the Register are continually identified through regular searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled studies were eligible if they evaluated SGLT2 inhibitors versus placebo, standard care or other glucose-lowering agents in people with CKD and diabetes. CKD includes all stages (from 1 to 5), including dialysis patients.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the study risk of bias. Treatment estimates were summarised using random effects meta-analysis and expressed as a risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD), with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Confidence in the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The primary review outcomes were all-cause death, 3-point and 4-point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), fatal or nonfatal stroke, and kidney failure.

MAIN RESULTS

Fifty-three studies randomising 65,241 people with CKD and diabetes were included. SGLT2 inhibitors with or without other background treatments were compared to placebo, standard care, sulfonylurea, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, or insulin. In the majority of domains, the risks of bias in the included studies were low or unclear. No studies evaluated the treatment in children or in people treated with dialysis. No studies compared SGLT2 inhibitors with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists or tirzepatide. Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors decreased the risk of all-cause death (20 studies, 44,397 participants: RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.94; I2 = 0%; high certainty) and cardiovascular death (16 studies, 43,792 participants: RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.93; I2 = 29%; high certainty). Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors probably make little or no difference to the risk of fatal or nonfatal MI (2 studies, 13,726 participants: RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.14; I2 = 24%; moderate certainty), and fatal or nonfatal stroke (2 studies, 13,726 participants: RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.30; I2 = 0%; moderate certainty). Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors probably decrease 3-point MACE (7 studies, 38,320 participants: RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.98; I2 = 46%; moderate certainty), and 4-point MACE (4 studies, 23,539 participants: RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.96; I2 = 77%; moderate certainty), and decrease hospital admission due to heart failure (6 studies, 28,339 participants: RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.79; I2 = 17%; high certainty). Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors may decrease creatinine clearance (1 study, 132 participants: MD -2.63 mL/min, 95% CI -5.19 to -0.07; low certainty) and probably decrease the doubling of serum creatinine (2 studies, 12,647 participants: RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.89; I2 = 53%; moderate certainty). SGLT2 inhibitors decrease the risk of kidney failure (6 studies, 11,232 participants: RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.79; I2 = 0%; high certainty), and kidney composite outcomes (generally reported as kidney failure, kidney death with or without ≥ 40% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)) (7 studies, 36,380 participants: RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.78; I2 = 25%; high certainty) compared to placebo. Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors incur less hypoglycaemia (16 studies, 28,322 participants: RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.98; I2 = 0%; high certainty), and hypoglycaemia requiring third-party assistance (14 studies, 26,478 participants: RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.88; I2 = 0%; high certainty), and probably decrease the withdrawal from treatment due to adverse events (15 studies, 16,622 participants: RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.08; I2 = 16%; moderate certainty). The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on eGFR, amputation and fracture were uncertain. No studies evaluated the effects of treatment on fatigue, life participation, or lactic acidosis. The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors compared to standard care alone, sulfonylurea, DPP-4 inhibitors, or insulin were uncertain.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

SGLT2 inhibitors alone or added to standard care decrease all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and kidney failure and probably decrease major cardiovascular events while incurring less hypoglycaemia compared to placebo in people with CKD and diabetes.

Sotagliflozin and Kidney Outcomes, Kidney Function, and Albuminuria in Type 2 Diabetes and CKD: A Secondary Analysis of the SCORED Trial

BACKGROUND

In the initial analysis of the Effect of Sotagliflozin on Cardiovascular and Renal Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Moderate Renal Impairment Who Are at Cardiovascular Risk (SCORED) trial, because of early trial termination and suspension of adjudication, reconciliation of eGFR laboratory data and case report forms had not been completed. This resulted in a small number of kidney composite events and a nominal effect of sotagliflozin versus placebo on this outcome. This exploratory analysis uses laboratory eGFR data, regardless of case report form completion, to assess the effects of sotagliflozin on the predefined kidney composite end point in the SCORED trial and additional cardiorenal composite end points.

METHODS

SCORED was a multicenter, randomized trial evaluating cardiorenal outcomes with sotagliflozin versus placebo in 10,584 patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD. This exploratory analysis used laboratory data to derive the eGFR components and case report form data for the non-laboratory-defined components that together made up the kidney and cardiorenal composites. AKI was also assessed in this dataset.

RESULTS

Using laboratory data, 223 events were identified, and sotagliflozin reduced the risk of the composite of first event of sustained ≥50% decline in eGFR, eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 , dialysis, or kidney transplant with 87 events (1.6%) in the sotagliflozin group and 136 events (2.6%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.62 [0.48 to 0.82]), P < 0.001). Sotagliflozin reduced the risk of a cardiorenal composite end point defined as the abovementioned composite plus cardiovascular or kidney death with 239 events (4.5%) in the sotagliflozin group and 306 events (5.7%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.77 [0.65 to 0.91], P = 0.0023). The results were consistent when using different eGFR decline thresholds and when only including kidney death in composites (all P < 0.01). The incidence of AKI was similar between treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this exploratory analysis using the complete laboratory dataset, sotagliflozin reduced the risk of kidney and cardiorenal composite end points in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03315143 .

Dapagliflozin and Blood Pressure in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Albuminuria

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors decrease blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes, but the consistency and magnitude of blood pressure lowering with dapagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown. We conducted a prespecified analysis of the DAPA-CKD trial to investigate the effect of dapagliflozin on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in patients with CKD, with and without type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A total of 4304 adults with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 25-75 mL/min/1.73m2 and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) 200-5000 mg/g were randomized to either dapagliflozin 10 mg or placebo once daily; median follow-up was 2.4 years. The primary endpoint was a composite of sustained ≥50% eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, or death from a kidney or cardiovascular cause. Change in SBP was a prespecified outcome.

RESULTS

Baseline mean (SD) SBP was 137.1 mmHg (17.4). By Week 2, dapagliflozin compared to placebo reduced SBP by 3.6 mmHg (95% CI 2.8-4.4 mmHg), an effect maintained over the duration of the trial (2.9 mmHg, 2.3-3.6 mmHg). Time-averaged reductions in SBP were 3.2 mmHg (2.5-4.0 mmHg) in patients with diabetes and 2.3 mmHg (1.2-3.4 mmHg) in patients without diabetes. The time-averaged effect of dapagliflozin on diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 1.0 mmHg (0.6-1.4 mmHg); 0.8 mmHg (0.4-1.3 mmHg) in patients with diabetes and 1.4 mmHg (0.7-2.1 mmHg) in patients without diabetes. Benefits of dapagliflozin on the primary composite and secondary endpoints were evident across the spectrum of baseline SBP and DBP.

CONCLUSION

In patients with CKD and albuminuria, randomization to dapagliflozin was associated with modest reductions in systolic and diastolic BP.

Cardiovascular protection significantly depends on HbA1c improvement with GLP-1RAs but not with SGLT2 is in type 2 diabetes: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), while developed as antihyperglycaemic medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, have proven to reduce major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) and hospitalization for heart failure (especially for SGLT2is) in dedicated cardiovascular outcome trials. The contribution of the glucose-lowering effect in the cardiovascular protection is uncertain and may differ between the two drug classes.

METHODS

This narrative review compares the relative effects of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction on the cardiovascular protection provided by GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is in placebo-controlled cardiovascular outcome trials by using the results of either post-hoc mediation analyses or meta-regression studies.

RESULTS

Both mediation and meta-regression analyses suggest that the lower cardiovascular risk with GLP-1RAs partially but substantially tracks with their glucose-lowering effect, especially when considering the reduction in nonfatal strokes. In contrast, similar analyses fail to demonstrate any significant contribution of the glucose-lowering effect with SGLT2is, not only on MACEs but also on heart failure issues.

CONCLUSION

The contribution of improved glucose control in cardiovascular protection is limited, but is much greater for GLP-1RAs than for SGLT2is. Of note, such mediation or meta-regression analyses are exploratory and can only be viewed as hypothesis generating.

Potential Mediators for Treatment Effects of Novel Diabetes Medications on Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes: A Meta-Regression Analysis

BACKGROUND

Prior research suggests clinical effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are mediated by changes in glycated hemoglobin, body weight, systolic blood pressure, hematocrit, and urine albumin-creatinine ratio. We aimed to confirm these findings using a meta-analytic approach.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We updated a systematic review of 9 GLP-1RA and 13 SGLT2i trials and summarized longitudinal mediator data. We obtained hazard ratios (HRs) for cardiovascular, renal, and mortality outcomes. We performed linear mixed-effects modeling of LogHRs versus changes in potential mediators and investigated differences in meta-regression associations among drug classes using interaction terms. HRs generally became more protective with greater glycated hemoglobin reduction among GLP-1RA trials, with average HR improvements of 20% to 30%, reaching statistical significance for major adverse cardiovascular events (ΔHR, 23%; P=0.02). Among SGLT2i trials, associations with HRs were not significant and differed from GLP1-RA trials for major adverse cardiovascular events (Pinteraction=0.04). HRs for major adverse cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, and stroke became less efficacious (ΔHR, -15% to -34%), with more weight loss for SGLT2i but not for GLP-1RA trials (ΔHR, 4%-7%; Pinteraction<0.05). Among 5 SGLT2i trials with available data, HRs for stroke became less efficacious with larger increases in hematocrit (ΔHR, 123%; P=0.09). No changes in HRs by systolic blood pressure (ΔHR, -11% to 9%) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ΔHR, -1% to 4%) were found for any outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed increased efficacy findings for major adverse cardiovascular events with reduction in glycated hemoglobin for GLP1-RAs. Further research is needed on the potential loss of cardiovascular benefits with increased weight loss and hematocrit for SGLT2i.

Effects of Empagliflozin on Fluid Overload, Weight, and Blood Pressure in CKD

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

SGLT2 inhibitors reduce risk of kidney progression, AKI, and cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms of benefit are incompletely understood. Bioimpedance spectroscopy can estimate body water and fat mass. One quarter of the EMPA-KIDNEY bioimpedance substudy CKD population had clinically significant levels of bioimpedance-derived "Fluid Overload" at recruitment. Empagliflozin induced a prompt and sustained reduction in "Fluid Overload," irrespective of sex, diabetes, and baseline N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide or eGFR. No significant effect on bioimpedance-derived fat mass was observed. The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on body water may be one of the contributing mechanisms by which they mediate effects on cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND

CKD is associated with fluid excess that can be estimated by bioimpedance spectroscopy. We aimed to assess effects of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibition on bioimpedance-derived "Fluid Overload" and adiposity in a CKD population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY was a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of empagliflozin 10 mg once daily in patients with CKD at risk of progression. In a substudy, bioimpedance measurements were added to the main trial procedures at randomization and at 2- and 18-month follow-up visits. The substudy's primary outcome was the study-average difference in absolute "Fluid Overload" (an estimate of excess extracellular water) analyzed using a mixed model repeated measures approach.

RESULTS

The 660 substudy participants were broadly representative of the 6609-participant trial population. Substudy mean baseline absolute "Fluid Overload" was 0.4±1.7 L. Compared with placebo, the overall mean absolute "Fluid Overload" difference among those allocated empagliflozin was -0.24 L (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.38 to -0.11), with similar sized differences at 2 and 18 months, and in prespecified subgroups. Total body water differences comprised between-group differences in extracellular water of -0.49 L (95% CI, -0.69 to -0.30, including the -0.24 L "Fluid Overload" difference) and a -0.30 L (95% CI, -0.57 to -0.03) difference in intracellular water. There was no significant effect of empagliflozin on bioimpedance-derived adipose tissue mass (-0.28 kg [95% CI, -1.41 to 0.85]). The between-group difference in weight was -0.7 kg (95% CI, -1.3 to -0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

In a broad range of patients with CKD, empagliflozin resulted in a sustained reduction in a bioimpedance-derived estimate of fluid overload, with no statistically significant effect on fat mass.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03594110 ; EuDRACT: 2017-002971-24 ( https://eudract.ema.europa.eu/ ).

Impact of metformin on cardiovascular and kidney outcome based on kidney function status in type 2 diabetic patients: a multicentric, retrospective cohort study

Metformin is the primary treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to its effectiveness in improving clinical outcomes in patients with preserved renal function, however, the evidence on the effectiveness of metformin in various renal functions is lacking. We performed a retrospective, multicenter, observational study used data of patients with T2DM obtained from three tertiary hospitals' databases. Patients given metformin within run-in periods and with at least one additional prescription formed the metformin cohort. A control cohort comprised those prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents other than metformin and never subsequently received a metformin prescription within observation period. For patients without diabetic nephropathy (DN), the outcomes included events of DN, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and major adverse kidney events (MAKE). After 1:1 propensity matching, 1994 individuals each were selected for the metformin and control cohorts among T2DM patients without baseline DN. The incidence rate ratios (IRR) for DN, MACEs, and MAKEs between cohorts were 1.06 (95% CI 0.96-1.17), 0.76 (0.64-0.92), and 0.45 (0.33-0.62), respectively. In cohorts with renal function of CKD 3A, 3B, and 4, summarized IRRs of MACEs and MAKEs were 0.70 (0.57-0.87) and 0.39 (0.35-0.43) in CKD 3A, 0.83 (0.74-0.93) and 0.44 (0.40-0.48) in CKD 3B, and 0.71 (0.60-0.85) and 0.45 (0.39-0.51) in CKD 4. Our research indicates that metformin use in T2DM patients across various renal functions consistently correlates with a decreased risk of overt DN, MACE, and MAKE.

Impact of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Middle East and Africa Perspective

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region and a leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension. Early initiation of sodium-glucose cotransporter - 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) and proper sequencing with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) in these patients may result in better clinical outcomes due to their cardioprotective properties and complementary mechanisms of action. In this review, we present guideline-based consensus recommendations by experts from the MEA region, as practical algorithms for screening, early detection, nephrology referral, and treatment pathways for CKD management in patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. This study will help physicians take timely and appropriate actions to provide better care to patients with CKD or those at high risk of CKD.

Effects of Dapagliflozin in Patients with Membranous Nephropathy

Introduction

Despite the provision of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system inhibitors and immunosuppressive therapies, membranous nephropathy often progresses to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The objective of this prespecified analysis was to assess the safety and efficacy of dapagliflozin in patients with membranous nephropathy enrolled in the DAPA-CKD trial.

Methods

Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 25-75 mL/min/1.73 m2 and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) 200-5,000 mg/g were randomized to dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily or placebo, along with standard-of-care and followed for median 2.4 years. The primary endpoint was a composite of ≥50% sustained decline in eGFR, ESKD, or kidney or cardiovascular death. Exploratory efficacy endpoints included eGFR slope and UACR.

Results

Among DAPA-CKD participants with membranous nephropathy, 19 were randomized to dapagliflozin and 24 to placebo. The mean (SD) age was 59.9 ± 12.1 years, the mean eGFR was 45.7 ± 12.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, and the median UACR was 1,694.5 (25%, 75% range 891-2,582.5) mg/g. Two of 19 (11%) patients randomized to dapagliflozin and five of 24 (21%) randomized to placebo experienced the primary composite endpoint. Total and chronic mean eGFR slopes for dapagliflozin and placebo were -3.87 and -4.29 and -2.66 and -4.22 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, respectively; corresponding between-group mean differences were 0.42 and 1.57 mL/min/1.73 m2/year. Dapagliflozin reduced geometric mean (SEM) UACR relative to placebo (-29.3% ± 1.2% vs. -3.6% ± 1.1%; between-group mean difference [95% CI] -26.7 [-50.4, 8.3]). Four (21%) patients randomized to dapagliflozin and seven (29%) randomized to placebo experienced a serious adverse event.

Conclusion

In membranous nephropathy, the effects of dapagliflozin on kidney disease progression and albuminuria were generally favorable; there was insufficient power to justify formal inference testing.

The effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in patients with chronic kidney disease with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus on cardiovascular and renal outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have shown a favorable effect on cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, their efficacy in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with or without T2DM has not yet been analyzed.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the cardiovascular and renal effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with CKD with and without T2DM, including all CKD patients in the current literature.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Scopus for randomized controlled trials of SGLT-2 inhibitors that evaluated cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in patients with CKD, or trials in which these patients were a subgroup. We defined 2 primary outcomes: a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, and a composite renal outcome. For each outcome, we obtained overall hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals by using a random effects model.

RESULTS

We included 14 randomized controlled trials. SGLT-2 inhibitors decreased the hazard for the primary cardiovascular outcome (HR 0.76; [95% CI 0.72-0.79]) and the primary renal outcome (HR 0.69; [95% CI 0.61-0.79]) in patients with CKD with or without T2DM. We did not find significant differences in the subgroup analyses according to diabetes status, baseline eGFR values or the type of SGLT-2 inhibitor used.

CONCLUSION

In patients with CKD, treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors in addition to standard therapy conferred protection against cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Further research on patients with non-diabetic CKD should be done to confirm the utility of these medications in this population. (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021275012).

Efficacy and Safety of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Nondiabetic Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review of Recent Evidence

Background

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were initially developed as glucose-lowering agents in patients with type-2 diabetes. However, available data from clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest that SGLT2i have pleiotropic benefits in reducing mortality and delaying the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Thus, we herein review the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of SGLT2i in patients with nondiabetic CKD and appraise the recently reported clinical trials that might facilitate the management of CKD in routine clinical practice.

Summary

The benefits of SGLT2i on nondiabetic CKD are multifactorial and are mediated by a combination of mechanisms. The landmark DAPA-CKD trial revealed that dapagliflozin administered with renin-angiotensin system blockade drugs reduced the risk of a sustained decline (at least 50%) in the estimated glomerular filtration rate, end-stage kidney disease, or death from cardiorenal causes. The recent EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin therapy led to a lower risk of progression of kidney disease or death from cardiovascular causes. These benefits were consistent in patients with and without diabetes. Moreover, a meta-analysis of DAPA-HF and EMPEROR-Reduced trials confirmed reductions in the combined risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure including composite renal endpoint.

Key Messages

Considering the robust data available from DAPA-CKD, EMPA-KIDNEY, and other trials such as EMPEROR-Preserved, DIAMOND that included nondiabetic patients, it may be necessary to update current guidelines to include SGLT2i as a first-line therapy for CKD and reevaluate current CKD therapeutic approaches.

Cost-effectiveness of canagliflozin and dapagliflozin for treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes

AIM

To examine the cost-effectiveness of adding canagliflozin or dapagliflozin to standard of care (SoC) versus SoC alone in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used a Markov microsimulation model to assess the cost-effectiveness of canagliflozin plus SoC (canagliflozin + SoC), dapagliflozin plus SoC (dapagliflozin + SoC) and SoC alone. Analyses were conducted from a healthcare system perspective. Costs were measured in 2021 Canadian dollars (C$), and effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).

RESULTS

Over a patient's lifetime, canagliflozin + SoC and dapagliflozin + SoC yielded cost savings of C$33 460 and C$26 764 and generated 1.38 and 1.44 additional QALYs compared with SoC alone, respectively. While QALY gains with dapagliflozin + SoC were higher than those with canagliflozin + SoC, this strategy was also more costly with the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio exceeding the willingness to pay threshold of C$50 000 per QALY. Dapagliflozin + SoC, however, generated cost savings and QALY gains compared with canagliflozin + SoC over shorter time horizons of 5 or 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Dapagliflozin + SoC was not cost-effective versus canagliflozin + SoC in patients with CKD and T2D over the lifetime horizon. However, adding canagliflozin or dapagliflozin to SoC was less costly and more effective relative to SoC alone for treatment of CKD and T2D.

Effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on the proteinuria reduction in patients with IgA nephropathy

Backgroud

Recent trials suggest sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) significantly reduced proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). While little was known its efficacy in clinical practice especially in those already received full dose reninangiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors.

Methods

A cohort of 93 Chinese patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and persistent proteinuria underwent full supportive therapy, including optimal blood pressure control and full dose angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy. Proteinuria reduction at three and six months after initiating SGLT2i therapy was analyzed.

Results

A total of 93 patients were enrolled in this study and 62 of them completed the six-month follow-up. After SGLT2i administration, a significant reduction in proteinuria was observed, with a decrease of 22.9% (p < 0.001) at three months and 27.1% (p < 0.001) at six months. During the six-month follow-up period, a decline of 3.0 mL/min/1.73m2 in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p = 0.012) and an increase of 0.8 g/L in albumin (p = 0.017) were observed. The anti-hypertensive effect of SGLT2i was not significant (p > 0.05). Notably, a consistent antiproteinuric effect of SGLT2i was observed across various settings, including different age groups, baseline levels of proteinuria/eGFR, use of immunosuppressive agents, and the presence of comorbid diabetes and hypertension (all p values >0.05).

Conclusion

The proteinuria was significantly reduced after SGLT2i administration in IgAN patients with full dose angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy. Importantly, the antiproteinuric effect of SGLT2i was observed independently of immunosuppressive agent therapy, age, baseline eGFR and proteinuria levels, as well as the history of hypertension and diabetes.

Impact of Sirolimus versus Mycophenolate Mofetil on Kidney Function after Calcineurin Inhibitor Dose Reduction in Liver Transplant Recipients

Impaired kidney function is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing liver transplantation. Although immunosuppressants are essential in these patients, they impair kidney function. This study aimed to compare adverse kidney outcomes between patients treated with a reduced dose of tacrolimus (calcineurin inhibitor) plus sirolimus or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the liver transplant center at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between April 2011 and December 2017. Propensity score matching was used to identify 232 patients. The risk of adverse kidney outcomes was estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression, and changes in kidney function over time were analyzed using linear mixed modeling. Acute kidney disease risks in this study cohort were not significantly different for the two immunosuppressants (aHR 1.04; 95% CI: 0.70-1.55, p = 0.8328). However, sirolimus use was significantly associated with a higher risk of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline > 30% than MMF (aHR, 2.09; 95% CI: 1.33-3.28; p = 0.0014). Our results demonstrate that sirolimus use may have worsened long-term kidney outcomes compared to MMF. Close monitoring of kidney function, dose adjustment, and timely transition to MMF is necessary for LT patients receiving sirolimus.

SGLT2 inhibitors for patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD: a narrative review

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have recently emerged as an effective means to protect kidney function in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this review, we explore the role of SGLT2 inhibition in these individuals. SGLT2 inhibitors specifically act to inhibit sodium and glucose reabsorption in the early proximal tubule of the renal nephron. Although originally developed as glucose-lowering agents through their ability to induce glycosuria, it became apparent in cardiovascular outcome trials that the trajectory of kidney function decline was significantly slowed and the incidence of serious falls in kidney function was reduced in participants receiving an SGLT2 inhibitor. These observations have recently led to specific outcome trials in participants with CKD, including DAPA-CKD, CREDENCE and EMPA-KIDNEY, and real-world studies, like CVD-REAL-3, that have confirmed the observation of kidney benefits in this setting. In response, recent KDIGO Guidelines have recommended the use of SGLT2 inhibitors as first-line therapy in patients with CKD, alongside statins, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and multifactorial risk factor management as indicated. However, SGLT2 inhibitors remain significantly underutilized in the setting of CKD. Indeed, an inertia paradox exists, with patients with more severe disease less likely to receive an SGLT2 inhibitor. Concerns regarding safety appear unfounded, as acute kidney injury, hyperkalaemia, major acute cardiovascular events and cardiac death in patients with CKD appear to be lower following SGLT2 inhibition. The first-in-class indication of dapagliflozin for CKD may begin a new approach to managing kidney disease in type 2 diabetes.

Risk of diabetic ketoacidosis of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have proven to be effective in improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to conduct this systematic review and network meta-analysis for the risk of DKA of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with T2DM. Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with T2DM in PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid SP), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Ovid SP), and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to January 2022. The primary outcomes were the risk of DKA. We assessed the sparse network with a fixed-effect model and consistency model in a frequentist framework with a graph-theoretical method by the netmeta package in R. We assessed the evidence quality of evidence of outcomes according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results: In total, 36 studies involving 52,264 patients were included. The network showed that there was no significant difference observed among SGLT2 inhibitors, other active antidiabetic drugs, and placebo in the risk of DKA. There was no significant difference in the DKA risk between different doses of SGLT2 inhibitors. The certainty of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate. The probabilities of rankings and P-score showed that compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors might increase the risk of DKA (P-score = 0.5298). Canagliflozin might have a higher DKA risk than other SGLT2 inhibitors (P-score = 0.7388). Conclusion: Neither SGLT2 inhibitors nor other active antidiabetic drugs were associated with an increased risk of DKA compared to placebo, and the risk of DKA with SGLT2 inhibitors was not found to be dose-dependent. In addition, the use of canagliflozin was less advisable than other SGLT2 inhibitors according to the rankings and P-score. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier PROSPERO, CRD42021297081.

Cardiovascular and Renal Benefits of Novel Diabetes Drugs by Baseline Cardiovascular Risk: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression

BACKGROUND

Eligibility for glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) has been expanded to patients with diabetes at lower cardiovascular risk, but whether treatment benefits differ by risk levels is not clear.

PURPOSE

To investigate whether patients with varying risks differ in cardiovascular and renal benefits from GLP-1RA and SGLT2i with use of meta-analysis and meta-regression.

DATA SOURCES

We performed a systematic review using PubMed through 7 November 2022.

STUDY SELECTION

We included reports of GLP-1RA and SGLT2i confirmatory randomized trials in adult patients with safety or efficacy end point data.

DATA EXTRACTION

Hazard ratio (HR) and event rate data were extracted for mortality, cardiovascular, and renal outcomes.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We analyzed 9 GLP-1RA and 13 SGLT2i trials comprising 154,649 patients. Summary HRs were significant for cardiovascular mortality (GLP-1RA 0.87 and SGLT2i 0.86), major adverse cardiovascular events (0.87 and 0.88), heart failure (0.89 and 0.70), and renal (0.84 and 0.65) outcomes. For stroke, efficacy was significant for GLP-1RA (0.84) but not for SGLT2i (0.92). Associations between control arm cardiovascular mortality rates and HRs were nonsignificant. Five-year absolute risk reductions (0.80-4.25%) increased to 11.6% for heart failure in SGLT2i trials in patients with high risk (Pslope < 0.001). For GLP1-RAs, associations were nonsignificant.

LIMITATIONS

Analyses were limited by lack of patient-level data, consistency in end point definitions, and variation in cardiovascular mortality rates for GLP-1RA trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Relative effects of novel diabetes drugs are preserved across baseline cardiovascular risk, whereas absolute benefits increase at higher risks, particularly regarding heart failure. Our findings suggest a need for baseline risk assessment tools to identify variation in absolute treatment benefits and improve decision-making.

Cardiorenal protective effects of canagliflozin in CREDENCE according to glucose lowering

INTRODUCTION

Relationships between glycemic-lowering effects of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and impact on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed 4395 individuals with prebaseline and postbaseline hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) randomized to canagliflozin (n=2193) or placebo (n=2202) in The Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation trial. Effects on HbA1c were assessed using mixed models. Mediation of treatment effects by achieved glycemic control was analyzed using proportional hazards regression with and without adjustment for achieved HbA1c. End points included combined kidney or cardiovascular death, end-stage kidney disease or doubling of serum creatinine (primary trial outcome), and individual end point components.

RESULTS

HbA1c lowering was modified by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). For baseline eGFR 60-90, 45-59, and 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m², overall HbA1c (canagliflozin vs placebo) decreased by -0.24%, -0.14%, and -0.08% respectively and likelihood of >0.5% decrease in HbA1c decreased with ORs of 1.47 (95% CI 1.27 to 1.67), 1.12 (0.94 to 1.33) and 0.99 (0.83 to 1.18), respectively. Adjustment for postbaseline HbA1c marginally attenuated canagliflozin effects on primary and kidney composite outcomes: unadjusted HR 0.67 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.80) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.81); adjusted for week 13 HbA1c, HR 0.71 (95% CI 0.060 to 0.84) and 0.68 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.83). Results adjusted for time-varying HbA1c or HbA1c as a cubic spline were similar and consistent with preserved clinical benefits across a range of excellent and poor glycemic control.

CONCLUSIONS

The glycemic effects of canagliflozin are attenuated at lower eGFR but effects on kidney and cardiac end points are preserved. Non-glycemic effects may be primarily responsible for the kidney and cardioprotective benefits of canagliflozin.22.

Dapagliflozin delays renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting YAP/TAZ activation

In diabetic kidney disease (DKD), the long-term hyperactivation of yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTCs) plays an important role in progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) is highly expressed in RPTCs, but its relationship with YAP/TAZ in tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DKD is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether the SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) dapagliflozin could alleviate renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DKD by regulating YAP/TAZ. We examined 58 patients with DKD confirmed by renal biopsy and found that the expression and nuclear translocation of YAP/TAZ increased with the exacerbation of chronic kidney disease classification. In models of DKD, dapagliflozin showed similar effects to verteporfin, an inhibitor of YAP/TAZ, in reducing the activation of YAP/TAZ and downregulating the expression of their target genes, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and amphiregulin in vivo and in vitro. Silencing SGLT2 also confirmed this effect. Importantly, dapagliflozin showed a better effect than verteporfin in inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis in the kidney in DKD rats. Taken together, this study proved for the first time that dapagliflozin delayed tubulointerstitial fibrosis at least partly by inhibiting YAP/TAZ activation, which further enriched the antifibrotic effect of SGLT2i.

Effects of Semaglutide on Albuminuria and Kidney Function in People With Overweight or Obesity With or Without Type 2 Diabetes: Exploratory Analysis From the STEP 1, 2, and 3 Trials

OBJECTIVE

These post hoc analyses of the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity (STEP) 1-3 trials (NCT03548935, NCT03552757, and NCT03611582) explored the effects of semaglutide (up to 2.4 mg) on kidney function.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

STEP 1-3 included adults with overweight/obesity; STEP 2 patients also had type 2 diabetes. Participants received once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg (STEP 2 only), 2.4 mg, or placebo for 68 weeks, plus lifestyle intervention (STEP 1 and 2) or intensive behavioral therapy (STEP 3). Changes in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and UACR status from baseline to week 68 were assessed for STEP 2. Changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were assessed from pooled STEP 1-3 data.

RESULTS

In STEP 2, 1,205 (99.6% total cohort) patients had UACR data; geometric mean baseline UACR was 13.7, 12.5, and 13.2 mg/g with semaglutide 1.0 mg, 2.4 mg, and placebo, respectively. At week 68, UACR changes were -14.8% and -20.6% with semaglutide 1.0 mg and 2.4 mg, respectively, and +18.3% with placebo (between-group differences [95% CI] vs. placebo: -28.0% [-37.3, -17.3], P < 0.0001 for semaglutide 1.0 mg; -32.9% [-41.6, -23.0], P = 0.003 for semaglutide 2.4 mg). UACR status improved in greater proportions of patients with semaglutide 1.0 mg and 2.4 mg versus placebo (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.0014, respectively). In the pooled STEP 1-3 analyses, 3,379 participants had eGFR data; there was no difference between semaglutide 2.4 mg and placebo in eGFR trajectories at week 68.

CONCLUSIONS

Semaglutide improved UACR in adults with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes. In participants with normal kidney function, semaglutide did not have an effect on eGFR decline.

Efficacy of Dapagliflozin by Baseline Diabetes Medications: A Prespecified Analysis From the DAPA-CKD Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the benefits of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in CKD trial (DAPA-CKD) varied by background glucose-lowering therapy (GLT).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We randomized 4,304 adults (including 2,906 with type 2 diabetes) with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 25-75 mL/min/1.73 m2 and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 200-5,000 mg/g to dapagliflozin 10 mg or placebo once daily (NCT03036150). The primary end point was a composite of ≥50% eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, and kidney or cardiovascular cause of death. Secondary end points included a kidney composite end point (primary composite end point without cardiovascular death), a cardiovascular composite end point (hospitalized heart failure or cardiovascular death), and all-cause mortality. In this prespecified analysis, we investigated the effects of dapagliflozin on these and other outcomes according to baseline GLT class or number of GLTs.

RESULTS

The effects of dapagliflozin on the primary composite outcome were consistent across GLT classes and according to the number of GLTs (all interaction P > 0.08). Similarly, we found consistent benefit of dapagliflozin compared with placebo on the secondary end points regardless of background GLT class or number of GLTs. The same applied to the rate of decline in the eGFR rate and safety end points. Dapagliflozin reduced the initiation of insulin therapy during follow-up compared with placebo (hazard ratio 0.72; 95% CI 0.54-0.96; P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Dapagliflozin reduced kidney and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD across baseline GLT class or classes in combination.

The Growing Challenge of Chronic Kidney Disease: An Overview of Current Knowledge

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming one of the world's most prevalent noncommunicable chronic diseases. The World Health Organization projects CKD to become the 5th most common chronic disease in 2040. Causes of CKD are multifactorial and diverse, but early-stage symptoms are often few and silent. Progression rates are highly variable, but patients encounter both an increased risk for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) as well as increased cardiovascular risk. End-stage kidney disease incidence is generally low, but every single case carries a significant burden of illness and healthcare costs, making prevention by early intervention both desirable and worthwhile. This review focuses on the prevalence, diagnosis, and causes of CKD. In addition, we discuss the developments in the general treatment of CKD, with particular attention to what can be initiated in general practice. With the addition of recent landmark findings and the expansion of the indication for using sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, there are now new effective treatments to add to standard therapy. This will also be relevant for primary care physicians as many patients with CKD have their family physician as their primary health care professional handling kidney function preservation. In the future, more precise and less invasive diagnostic methods may not only improve the determination of the underlying cause of CKD but may also carry information regarding which treatment to use (i.e. personalized medicine). This could lead to a reduced number of preventive treatments per individual, while at the same time improving the prognosis. This review summarizes ongoing efforts in this area.

Dapagliflozin alleviates renal fibrosis in a mouse model of adenine-induced renal injury by inhibiting TGF-β1/MAPK mediated mitochondrial damage

Renal fibrosis is a common pathological outcome of various chronic kidney diseases, and as yet, there is no specific treatment. Dapagliflozin has shown renal protection in some clinical trials as a glucose-lowering drug, but its role and mechanism on renal fibrosis remain unclear. In this study, we used a 0.2% adenine diet-induced renal fibrosis mouse model to investigate whether dapagliflozin could protect renal function and alleviate renal fibrosis in this animal model. In vivo, we found that dapagliflozin's protective effect on renal fibrosis was associated with 1) sustaining mitochondrial integrity and respiratory chain complex expression, maintained the amount of mitochondria; 2) improving fatty acid oxidation level with increased expression of CPT1-α, PPAR-α, ACOX1, and ACOX2; 3) reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, likely via regulation of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, cxcl-1 expression, and glutathione (GSH) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; and 4) inhibiting the activation of the TGF-β1/MAPK pathway. In HK2 cells treated with TGF-β1, dapagliflozin reduced the expression of FN and α-SMA, improved mitochondrial respiratory chain complex expression, and inhibited activation of the TGF-β1/MAPK pathway.

Canagliflozin reverses Th1/Th2 imbalance and promotes podocyte autophagy in rats with membranous nephropathy

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy is the main cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies have shown sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors significantly delay renal outcomes in patients with CKD, but the exact mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin attenuates podocyte injury by reversing the imbalance in Helper T cell 1 (Th1)/Helper T cell 2 (Th2) in peripheral blood of rats with membranous nephropathy (MN). MN rats were gavaged with canagliflozin (10 mg/kg/d) and losartan (10 mg/kg/d), respectively, for eight weeks. Compared with the MN group, the urinary ratio of total protein and the creatinine levels of the canagliflozin group decreased significantly. Canagliflozin improved the glomerulus pathological damage, increased the expression levels of podocyte marker proteins. The protective effect of canagliflozin on kidneys was more obvious than that of losartan. Treatment with canagliflozin increased the proportion of Th1 cells by 2.3 times, decreased the proportion of Th2 cells by 68.5%, and significantly restrained the synthesis of immunoglobulin G1 in B-cells and glomerulus subepithelial immune complex deposition. Co-culture of B-cells derived from MN rats with podocytes triggered the activation of phosphorylation of mTOR and ULK1 of podocytes, inhibited podocyte autophagy and resulted in podocyte injury. B-cells derived from canagliflozin treatment rats reversed these effects above. In conclusion, canagliflozin exerts a protective effect on kidneys by reversing the imbalance in Th1/Th2 cells in MN rats and restoring the autophagy of podocytes inhibited by the abnormal immunoglobulin G secretion from B-cells.

Reconsidering the role of glycaemic control in cardiovascular disease risk in type 2 diabetes: A 21st century assessment

It is well known that the multiple factors contributing to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) confer an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although the relationship between hyperglycaemia and increased microvascular risk is well established, the relative contribution of hyperglycaemia to macrovascular events has been strongly debated, particularly owing to the failure of attempts to reduce CVD risk through normalizing glycaemia with traditional therapies in high-risk populations. The debate has been further fuelled by the relatively recent discovery of the cardioprotective properties of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Further, as guidelines now recommend individualizing glycaemic targets, highlighting the importance of achieving glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) goals safely, the previously observed negative influences of intensive therapy on CVD risk might not present if trials were repeated using current-day treatments and individualized HbA1c goals. Emerging longitudinal data illuminate the overall effect of excess glucose, the impacts of magnitude and duration of hyperglycaemia on disease progression and risk of CVD complications, and the importance of glycaemic control at or early after diagnosis of T2D for prevention of complications. Herein, we review the role of glucose as a modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, the role of microvascular disease in predicting macrovascular risk, and the deleterious impact of therapeutic inertia on CVD risk. We reconcile new and old data to offer a current perspective, highlighting the importance of effective, early treatment in reducing latent CV risk, and the timely use of appropriate therapy individualized to each patient's needs.

Sub-analyses of the DAPA-CKD study: new data on the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor in the treatment of chronic kidney disease

Sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors updated their position in the therapy of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus due to proven nephro- and cardioprotective effects. The DAPA-CKD study, performed among individuals with CKD of various etiologies, was also conducted in a mixed population, including patients without type 2 diabetes, showed the ability of dapagliflozin to reduce the risk of the primary combined endpoint (eGFR15 ml/min/1.73 m2, the need for chronic dialysis or kidney transplantation, time to renal or cardiovascular death), and certain secondary endpoints. Due to the inclusion of dapagliflozin into the treatment of the patients with CKD of not only the diabetic origin and the expected subsequent significant expansion of the patient population with indications for the use of this drug, the review of the results of the sub-analyses of DAPA-CKD study may be of interest to the clinicians.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors-Miracle Drugs for the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease Irrespective of the Diabetes Status: Lessons from the Dedicated Kidney Disease-Focused CREDENCE and DAPA-CKD Trials

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease worldwide. In Japan, the proportion of new patients requiring dialysis due to DKD has remained unchanged over the past five years. Early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important for the prevention of DKD progression. Albuminuria is the most promising biomarker currently available for diagnosing DKD and predicting its prognosis at an early stage; however, it has relatively poor specificity and sensitivity for DKD. Measuring the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs; TNFR1 and TNFR2) is an alternative for predicting the prognosis of patients with CKD, irrespective of their diabetes status. Cardiorenal risk factor management and renin-angiotensin system inhibitor usage are effective in slowing the DKD progression, although the residual risk remains high in patients with DKD. Recently, two classes of antihyperglycemic agents, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, in addition to nonsteroidal selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, which are less potent blood pressure-lowering and potassium-sparing agents, have emerged as cardiorenal disease-modifying therapies for preventing the DKD progression. This review focused on the SGLT2 inhibitor-based therapeutic strategies that have demonstrated cardiorenal benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Network meta-analysis on the effects of finerenone versus SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists on cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease

Objective

To evaluate the cardiovascular and renal benefits of finerenone, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with network meta-analysis.

Methods

Systematic literature searches were conducted of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Medline and Embase covering January 1, 2000 to December 30, 2021. Randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing finerenone, SGLT-2i and GLP-1 RA in diabetics with CKD were selected. We performed a network meta-analysis to compare the two drugs and finerenone indirectly. Results were reported as risk ratio (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

18 RCTs involving 51,496 patients were included. Finerenone reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), renal outcome and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) (RR [95% CI]; 0.88 [0.80–0.97], 0.86 [0.79–0.93], 0.79 [0.67,0.92], respectively). SGLT-2i were associated with reduced risks of MACE (RR [95% CI]; 0.84 [0.78–0.90]), renal outcome (RR [95% CI]; 0.67 [0.60–0.74], HHF (RR [95% CI]; 0.60 [0.53–0.68]), all-cause death (ACD) (RR [95% CI]; 0.89 [0.81–0.91]) and cardiovascular death (CVD) (RR [95% CI]; 0.86 [0.77–0.96]) compared to placebo. GLP-1 RA were associated with a lower risk of MACE (RR [95% CI]; 0.86 [0.78–0.94]). SGLT2i had significant effect in comparison to finerenone (finerenone vs SGLT2i: RR [95% CI]; 1.29 [1.13–1.47], 1.31 [1.07–1.61], respectively) and GLP-1 RA (GLP-1 RA vs SGLT2i: RR [95% CI]; 1.36 [1.16–1.59], 1.49 [1.18–1.89], respectively) in renal outcome and HHF.

Conclusions

In patients with T2DM and CKD, SGLT2i, GLP-1 RA and finerenone were comparable in MACE, ACD and CVD. SGLT2i significantly decreased the risk of renal events and HHF compared with finerenone and GLP-1 RA. Among GLP-1 RA, GLP-1 analogues showed significant effect in reducing cardiovascular events compared with exendin-4 analogues.

Effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and aldosterone antagonists, in addition to renin-angiotensin system antagonists, on major adverse kidney outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

AIMS

To compare the efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), selective aldosterone antagonists and nonselective aldosterone antagonists, on top of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade, in reducing kidney-specific composite events, cardiovascular outcomes, and other events of special interest in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched for studies published up to January 20, 2022. Randomized clinical trials enrolling participants with T2D and CKD were included, in which SGLT2 inhibitors, nonsteroidal MRAs, selective aldosterone antagonists and nonselective aldosterone antagonists were compared with either each other, or with placebo or no treatment. A network meta-analysis using a Bayesian approach was performed. The primary outcome was a kidney-specific composite event. Secondary outcomes included death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, and all-cause mortality. We also examined blood pressure and safety outcomes of interest, including acute kidney injury, hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, and volume reduction events. All research was conducted according to a protocol registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022307113).

RESULTS

This meta-analysis of 17 trials randomizing 22 981 participants found SGLT2 inhibitors (odds ratio [OR] 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52 to 0.73) and nonsteroidal MRAs (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.88) were associated with significantly lower kidney-specific composite events than the control groups. Nonsteroidal MRAs (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.92) and SGLT2 inhibitors (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.72) were associated with greater reductions in hospitalization for heart failure than the control groups. SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure events compared with nonsteroidal MRAs (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.97). SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a reduction in cardiovascular death (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.98) and all-cause mortality (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.93) compared with the control groups. When compared to the control groups, both nonsteroidal MRAs (weighted mean difference [WMD] -10.96, 95% CI -20.49 to -1.46) and SGLT2 inhibitors (WMD -3.50, 95% CI -6.01 to -1.013) were linked with lower systolic blood pressure, nonsteroidal MRAs (OR 2.27, 95% CI 2.02 to 2.56) and nonselective aldosterone antagonists (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.43 to 7.66) were associated with an increased risk of hyperkalaemia, nonsteroidal MRAs were linked with an increased risk of hyponatraemia (OR 16.56, 95% CI 2.78 to 455.19), and SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of volume reduction events (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.56). SGLT2 inhibitors were ranked the best for our primary and secondary outcomes. Confidence in the evidence was often high or moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

In this network meta-analysis, the use of SGLT2 inhibitors or nonsteroidal MRAs, combined with RAAS blockade, was associated with a reduction in kidney-specific composite events and hospitalization for heart failure events in patients with T2D and CKD compared to placebo or no treatment. SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure events compared with nonsteroidal MRAs. Use of SGLT2 inhibitors was associated with lower mortality than placebo or no treatment.

Executive summary of the KDIGO 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes Management in Chronic Kidney Disease: an update based on rapidly emerging new evidence

The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes Management in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) represents a focused update of the KDIGO 2020 guideline on the topic. The guideline targets a broad audience of clinicians treating people with diabetes and CKD. Topic areas for which recommendations are updated based on new evidence include Chapter 1: Comprehensive care in patients with diabetes and CKD and Chapter 4: Glucose-lowering therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and CKD. The content of previous chapters on Glycemic monitoring and targets in patients with diabetes and CKD (Chapter 2), Lifestyle interventions in patients with diabetes and CKD (Chapter 3), and Approaches to management of patients with diabetes and CKD (Chapter 5) has been deemed current and was not changed. This guideline update was developed according to an explicit process of evidence review and appraisal. Treatment approaches and guideline recommendations are based on systematic reviews of relevant studies and appraisal of the quality of the evidence, and the strength of recommendations followed the "Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation" (GRADE) approach. Limitations of the evidence are discussed, and areas for which additional research is needed are presented.

Network meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of finerenone versus SGLT2 inhibitors on reducing new-onset of atrial fibrillation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of finerenone and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on reducing new-onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHOD

We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Medline and Embase covering January 1, 2000 to April 30, 2022. Randomized control trials comparing finerenone or SGLT2i with placebo in patients with T2DM and CKD were selected. Results were reported as risk ratio (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies (35,841 patients) were included. Finerenone (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.62-0.99) was associated with a decreased risk of AF compared with placebo, while SGLT2i were not. SGLT2i were associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization for heart failure (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.98) compared with finerenone. They were comparable in AF(RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.48,1.46), major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE) (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.81,1.06) and nonfatal stroke(RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.58,1.05). They both showed no significant risk of adverse events compared with placebo.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in the reduction of new-onset of atrial fibrillation between Finerenone and SGLT2i based on the indirect comparisons of currently available clinical studies. The large-sampled head-to-head trials was needed for the more precise conclusion.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline: Developing a Diabetes Mellitus Comprehensive Care Plan-2022 Update

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this clinical practice guideline is to provide updated and new evidence-based recommendations for the comprehensive care of persons with diabetes mellitus to clinicians, diabetes-care teams, other health care professionals and stakeholders, and individuals with diabetes and their caregivers.

METHODS

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology selected a task force of medical experts and staff who updated and assessed clinical questions and recommendations from the prior 2015 version of this guideline and conducted literature searches for relevant scientific papers published from January 1, 2015, through May 15, 2022. Selected studies from results of literature searches composed the evidence base to update 2015 recommendations as well as to develop new recommendations based on review of clinical evidence, current practice, expertise, and consensus, according to established American Association of Clinical Endocrinology protocol for guideline development.

RESULTS

This guideline includes 170 updated and new evidence-based clinical practice recommendations for the comprehensive care of persons with diabetes. Recommendations are divided into four sections: (1) screening, diagnosis, glycemic targets, and glycemic monitoring; (2) comorbidities and complications, including obesity and management with lifestyle, nutrition, and bariatric surgery, hypertension, dyslipidemia, retinopathy, neuropathy, diabetic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease; (3) management of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes with antihyperglycemic pharmacotherapy and glycemic targets, type 1 diabetes with insulin therapy, hypoglycemia, hospitalized persons, and women with diabetes in pregnancy; (4) education and new topics regarding diabetes and infertility, nutritional supplements, secondary diabetes, social determinants of health, and virtual care, as well as updated recommendations on cancer risk, nonpharmacologic components of pediatric care plans, depression, education and team approach, occupational risk, role of sleep medicine, and vaccinations in persons with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

This updated clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to assist with person-centered, team-based clinical decision-making to improve the care of persons with diabetes mellitus.

Effects of dapagliflozin on volume status and systemic haemodynamics in patients with chronic kidney disease without diabetes: Results from DAPASALT and DIAMOND

AIMS

To assess the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor dapagliflozin on natriuresis, blood pressure (BP) and volume status in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) without diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a mechanistic open-label study (DAPASALT) to evaluate the effects of dapagliflozin on 24-hour sodium excretion, 24-hour BP, extracellular volume, and markers of volume status during a standardized sodium diet (150 mmol/d) in six patients with CKD. In parallel, in a placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial (DIAMOND), we determined the effects of 6 weeks of dapagliflozin on markers of volume status in 53 patients with CKD.

RESULTS

In DAPASALT (mean age 65 years, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 39.4 mL/min/1.73 m² , median urine albumin:creatinine ratio [UACR] 111 mg/g), dapagliflozin did not change 24-hour sodium and volume excretion during 2 weeks of treatment. Dapagliflozin was associated with a modest increase in 24-hour glucose excretion on Day 4, which persisted at Day 14 and reversed to baseline after discontinuation. Mean 24-hour systolic BP decreased by -9.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] -19.1, 0.4) mmHg after 4 days and was sustained at Day 14 and at wash-out. Renin, angiotensin II, urinary aldosterone and copeptin levels increased from baseline. In DIAMOND (mean age 51 years, mean eGFR 59.0 mL/min/1.73 m² , median UACR 608 mg/g), compared to placebo, dapagliflozin increased plasma renin (38.5 [95% CI 7.4, 78.8]%), aldosterone (19.1 [95% CI -5.9, 50.8]%), and copeptin levels (7.3 [95% CI 0.1, 14.5] pmol/L).

CONCLUSIONS

During a standardized sodium diet, dapagliflozin decreased BP but did not increase 24-hour sodium and volume excretion. The lack of increased natriuresis and diuresis may be attributed to activation of intra-renal compensatory mechanisms to prevent excessive water loss.

Dapagliflozin for the treatment of chronic kidney disease

INTRODUCTION

Sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) is a glucose transporter expressed on the proximal tubular cells, where it reabsorbs glucose from the glomerular filtrate. SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), initially developed as an antidiabetic drug, have recently attracted considerable attention because they have cardiorenal protective effects. Among SGLT2is, dapagliflozin was the first to demonstrate the renoprotective effect in patients with and without diabetes and has been approved for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the pharmacological characteristics and the clinical efficacy and safety profiles of dapagliflozin, including comparison with other SGLT2is and risk modification strategies.

EXPERT OPINION

In DAPA-CKD, dapagliflozin reduced the primary outcome (≥50% estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] decline, end-stage kidney disease [ESKD], or renal or cardiovascular [CV] death) by 39% in CKD patients. This beneficial effect was consistent across prespecified subgroups, including those based on the presence of diabetes. Dapagliflozin also decreased the CV composite outcome and all-cause death by 29% and 31%, respectively. Although an increased risk of adverse events such as ketoacidosis and volume depletion has been reported, the robust renal and CV benefits of dapagliflozin are expected to outweigh potential risks. SGLT2is, including dapagliflozin, will constitute the mainstay of CKD treatment.

Review of SGLT2i for the Treatment of Renal Complications: Experience in Patients with and Without T2D

The management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) involves decreasing plasma glucose levels and reducing cardiovascular and microvascular complications. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), defined as presence of albuminuria, impaired glomerular filtration, or both, is an insidious microvascular complication of diabetes that generates a substantial personal and clinical burden. The progressive reduction in renal function and increased albuminuria results in an increase of cardiovascular events. Thus, patients with DKD require exhaustive control of the associated cardiovascular risk factors. People with diabetes and renal impairment have fewer options of antidiabetic drugs because of contraindications, adverse effects, or altered pharmacokinetics. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce blood glucose concentrations by blocking the uptake of sodium and glucose in the proximal tubule and promoting glycosuria, and these agents now have an important role in the management of T2D. The results of several cardiovascular outcomes trials suggested that SGLT2i are associated with improvements in renal endpoints in addition to their reduction in cardiovascular events and mortality, which represents a major advance in the care of this population. The dedicated kidney outcomes trials have confirmed the renoprotective action of SGLT2i across different glomerular filtration and albuminuria values, even in patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. Notably, this improvement in kidney function may indirectly benefit cardiac function through multifaceted interorgan cross talk, which can break the cardiorenal vicious circle linked to T2D. In this article, we briefly review the different mechanisms of action that may explain the renal beneficial effects of SGLT2i and disclose the results of the key renal outcome trials and the subsequent update of related clinical guidelines.

Effect of dapagliflozin on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes by baseline KDIGO risk categories: a post hoc analysis of the DAPA-CKD trial

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

In the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease (DAPA-CKD) trial, dapagliflozin reduced the risks of progressive kidney disease, hospitalised heart failure or cardiovascular death, and death from all causes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with or without type 2 diabetes. Patients with more severe CKD are at higher risk of kidney failure, cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. In this post hoc analysis, we assessed the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin according to baseline Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) risk categories.

METHODS

DAPA-CKD was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that randomised patients with an eGFR of 25-75 ml min^-1 [1.73 m]^-2 and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) of ≥22.6 and <565.0 mg/mmol (200-5000 mg/g) to dapagliflozin 10 mg/day or placebo. The primary endpoint was a composite of ≥50% reduction in eGFR, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and death from a kidney or cardiovascular cause. Secondary endpoints included a kidney composite (≥50% reduction in eGFR, ESKD and death from a kidney cause), a cardiovascular composite (heart failure hospitalisation or cardiovascular death), and death from all causes. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to assess relative and absolute effects of dapagliflozin across KDIGO risk categories.

RESULTS

Of the 4304 participants in the DAPA-CKD study, 619 (14.4%) were moderately high risk, 1349 (31.3%) were high risk and 2336 (54.3%) were very high risk when categorised by KDIGO risk categories at baseline. Dapagliflozin reduced the hazard of the primary composite (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.51, 0.72) and secondary endpoints consistently across KDIGO risk categories (all p for interaction >0.09). Absolute risk reductions for the primary outcome were also consistent irrespective of KDIGO risk category (p for interaction 0.26). Analysing patients with and without type 2 diabetes separately, the relative risk reduction with dapagliflozin in terms of the primary outcome was consistent across subgroups of KDIGO risk categories. The relative frequencies of adverse events and serious adverse events were also similar across KDIGO risk categories.

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATIONS

The consistent benefits of dapagliflozin on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes across KDIGO risk categories indicate that dapagliflozin is efficacious and safe across a wide spectrum of kidney disease severity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03036150.

FUNDING

The study was funded by AstraZeneca.

Effects of Sodium/Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors and Combined SGLT1/2 Inhibitors on Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Renal, and Safety Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes: A Network Meta-Analysis of 111 Randomized Controlled Trials

INTRODUCTION

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a class of anti-hyperglycemic drugs that has been steadily increasing in popularity due to its cardiovascular and renal benefits. Dual SGLT1/SGLT2 (SGLT1/2) inhibitors have potentially augmented anti-hyperglycemic action due to additional SGLT1 inhibition. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare the treatment effect across various outcomes between pure SGLT2 inhibitors and combined SGLT1/2 inhibitors in patients with diabetes.

METHODOLOGY

Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus) were searched for randomized controlled trials published from inception to 15th January 2022. Frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the treatment effects reported in individual trials, stratified by type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020222031).

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis included 111 articles, comprising a combined cohort of 103,922 patients. SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, canagliflozin, ipragliflozin, ertugliflozin, and luseogliflozin) and SGLT1/2 inhibitors (licogliflozin and sotagliflozin) were compared. Frequentist network meta-analysis demonstrated that in T2DM patients, SGLT1/2 inhibitors led to a decreased hazard rate of myocardial infarction (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56-0.98) and stroke (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47-0.92) compared with SGLT2 inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors achieved a greater hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reduction than SGLT1/2 inhibitors (0.16%, 95% CI 0.06-0.26). In patients with T2DM, the risk of diarrhea (risk ratio [RR] 1.42, 95% CI 1.07-1.88) and severe hypoglycemia (RR 5.89, 95% CI 1.41-24.57) were found to be higher with SGLT1/2 inhibitor use compared with SGLT2 inhibitor use. No differences were observed for cardiovascular, metabolic, and safety outcomes between SGLT1/2 inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with T1DM.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with T2DM, compared with pure SGLT2 inhibitors, combined SGLT1/2 inhibitors demonstrated a lower risk of myocardial infarction and of stroke, but were associated with a higher risk of diarrhea and severe hypoglycemia.

Diabetes and Its Cardiovascular Complications: Comprehensive Network and Systematic Analyses

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide health problem that usually comes with severe complications. There is no cure for diabetes yet and the threat of these complications is what keeps researchers investigating mechanisms and treatments for diabetes mellitus. Due to advancements in genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and single-cell multiomics research, considerable progress has been made toward understanding the mechanisms of diabetes mellitus. In addition, investigation of the association between diabetes and other physiological systems revealed potentially novel pathways and targets involved in the initiation and progress of diabetes. This review focuses on current advancements in studying the mechanisms of diabetes by using genomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and single-cell multiomic analysis methods. It will also focus on recent findings pertaining to the relationship between diabetes and other biological processes, and new findings on the contribution of diabetes to several pathological conditions.

Kidney and heart failure outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitor use

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure affect many people worldwide. Despite the availability of pharmacological treatments, both diseases remain associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. After observations that sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors - originally developed as glucose-lowering agents - improved cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, dedicated trials were initiated to evaluate the cardiovascular and kidney protective effects in patients with CKD or heart failure. The results of these clinical trials and subsequent detailed analyses have shown that the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors are consistent across many patient subgroups, including those with and without type 2 diabetes, at different stages of CKD, and in patients with heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction. In addition, post-hoc analyses revealed that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the risk of anaemia and hyperkalaemia in patients with CKD. With respect to their safety, SGLT2 inhibitors are generally well tolerated. More specifically, no increased risk of hypoglycaemia has been observed in patients with CKD or heart failure without diabetes and they do not increase the risk of acute kidney injury. SGLT2 inhibitors therefore provide clinicians with an exciting new treatment option for patients with CKD and heart failure.

Prediction of the Effects of Empagliflozin on Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes Based on Short-Term Changes in Multiple Risk Markers

Aims: The EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial demonstrated that the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2) empagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular (CV) and kidney outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. We previously developed the parameter response efficacy (PRE) score, which translates drug effects on multiple short-term risk markers into a predicted long-term treatment effect on clinical outcomes. The main objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of the PRE score in predicting the efficacy of empagliflozin in reducing the risk of CV and kidney outcomes. Methods: Short-term (baseline to 6-months) changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), urinary-albumin-creatinine-ratio (UACR), hemoglobin, body weight, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, uric acid, and potassium were determined among 7020 patients with type 2 diabetes and established CV disease in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial. The beta-coefficients, derived from a Cox proportional hazards model in a pooled database consisting of 6355 patients with type 2 diabetes, were applied to the short-term risk markers in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial to predict the empagliflozin-induced impact on CV (defined as a composite of non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or CV death) and kidney (defined as a composite of doubling of serum creatinine or end-stage kidney disease) outcomes. Results: Empagliflozin compared to placebo reduced HbA1c (0.6%), SBP (4.2 mmHg), UACR (13.0%), body weight (2.1 kg), uric acid (20.4 μmol/L), and increased hemoglobin (6.6 g/L), LDL-cholesterol (0.1 mmol/L) and HDL-cholesterol (0.04 mmol/L) (all p<0.01). Integrating these effects in the PRE score resulted in a predicted relative risk reduction (RRR) for the CV outcome of 6.4% (95% CI 1.4-11.7), which was less than the observed 14.7% (95% CI 1.3-26.4%) RRR. For the kidney outcome, the PRE score predicted a RRR of 33.4% (95% CI 26.2-39.8); the observed RRR was 46.9% (95% CI 26.8-61.5). In a subgroup of 2,811 patients with UACR ≥30 mg/g at baseline, the PRE score predicted RRR was 40.8% (95% CI 31.2-49.1) vs. the observed RRR of 40.8% (95% CI 12.4-60.0) for the kidney outcome. Conclusions: Integrating multiple short-term risk marker changes in the PRE score underestimated the effect of empagliflozin on CV and kidney outcomes, suggesting that the currently used risk markers do not fully capture the effect of empagliflozin. In patients with increased albuminuria, the PRE score adequately predicted the effect of empagliflozin on kidney outcomes.

Clinical Evidence and Proposed Mechanisms of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Class Effect?

Effective treatment for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is an unmet need in cardiovascular medicine. The pathophysiological drivers of HFpEF are complex, differing depending on phenotype, making a one-size-fits-all treatment approach unlikely. Remarkably, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) may be the first drug class to improve cardiovascular outcomes in HFpEF. Randomised controlled trials suggest a benefit in mortality, and demonstrate decreased hospitalisations and improvement in functional status. Limitations in trials exist, either due to small sample sizes, differing results between trials or decreased efficacy at higher ejection fractions. SGLT2is may provide a class effect by targeting various pathophysiological HFpEF mechanisms. Inhibition of SGLT2 and Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger 3 in the kidney promotes glycosuria, osmotic diuresis and natriuresis. The glucose deprivation activates sirtuins - protecting against oxidation and beneficially regulating metabolism. SGLT2is reduce excess epicardial adipose tissue and its deleterious adipokines. Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger 1 inhibition in the heart and lungs reduces sodium-induced calcium overload and pulmonary hypertension, respectively.

Reduced expression of OXPHOS and DNA damage genes is linked to protection from microvascular complications in long-term type 1 diabetes: the PROLONG study

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease requiring insulin treatment for survival. Prolonged duration of type 1 diabetes is associated with increased risk of microvascular complications. Although chronic hyperglycemia and diabetes duration have been considered as the major risk factors for vascular complications, this is not universally seen among all patients. Persons with long-term type 1 diabetes who have remained largely free from vascular complications constitute an ideal group for investigation of natural defense mechanisms against prolonged exposure of diabetes. Transcriptomic signatures obtained from RNA sequencing of the peripheral blood cells were analyzed in non-progressors with more than 30 years of diabetes duration and compared to the patients who progressed to microvascular complications within a shorter duration of diabetes. Analyses revealed that non-progressors demonstrated a reduction in expression of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes, which were positively correlated with the expression of DNA repair enzymes, namely genes involved in base excision repair (BER) machinery. Reduced expression of OXPHOS and BER genes was linked to decrease in expression of inflammation-related genes, higher glucose disposal rate and reduced measures of hepatic fatty liver. Results from the present study indicate that at transcriptomic level reduction in OXPHOS, DNA repair and inflammation-related genes is linked to better insulin sensitivity and protection against microvascular complications in persons with long-term type 1 diabetes.