Unexpected Pleiotropic Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors: Pearls and Pitfalls of This Novel Antidiabetic Class

Recent Advances in Targeted Management of Inflammation In Atherosclerosis: A Narrative Review

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality despite effective low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-targeted therapies. This review explores the crucial role of inflammation in the residual risk of ASCVD, emphasizing its impact on atherosclerosis progression and plaque stability. Evidence suggests that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and potentially other inflammatory biomarkers, can be used to identify the inflammatory residual ASCVD risk phenotype and may serve as future targets for the development of more efficacious therapeutic approaches. We review the biological basis for the association of inflammation with ASCVD, propose new therapeutic strategies for the use of inflammation-targeted treatments, and discuss current challenges in the implementation of this new treatment paradigm for ASCVD.

SGLT-2 Inhibitor Use and Cause-Specific Hospitalization Rates: An Outcome-Wide Study to Identify Novel Associations of SGLT-2 Inhibitors

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have demonstrated multifaceted pharmacological effects. In addition to type 2 diabetes, they are now indicated for heart failure and chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to identify novel associations between SGLT2i use and health outcomes using real-world data. Using linked data from a nationwide diabetes registry in Australia, we compared hospitalization rates in people living with type 2 diabetes commencing treatment with SGLT2i and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) between December 1, 2013, and June 30, 2019. Cause-specific hospitalizations were categorized across three hierarchies of diagnoses (first, first three, and first four digits of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Version, Australian Modification codes). Incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for each cause-specific hospitalization were estimated using negative binomial regression. In the first hierarchy, hospitalization rates were lower across most diagnosis groups among SGLT2i initiators (n = 99,569) compared with DPP4i initiators (n = 186,353). In the second and third hierarchies, there were lower hospitalization rates relating to infections, anemias, and obstructive airway diseases among SGLT2i initiators compared with DPP4i initiators. These included sepsis (IRR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.51-0.72) anemia (IRR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.46-0.66), and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (IRR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.40-0.68), as well as for previously known associations (e.g., heart failure (IRR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.56-0.70)). SGLT2is have previously uncharacterized associations on a range of important clinical outcomes; validation of these associations requires further study, some of which may suggest novel benefits or new indications for SGLT2is.

A 52-week efficacy and safety study of enavogliflozin versus dapagliflozin as an add-on to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: ENHANCE-M extension study

AIM

To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of enavogliflozin 0.3 mg/day added to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After 24 weeks of a randomized, double-blind treatment period with enavogliflozin 0.3 mg/day (n = 101) or dapagliflozin 10 mg/day (n = 99) added to metformin, all patients received enavogliflozin 0.3 mg/day plus metformin for an additional 28 weeks during the open-label extension period.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients continued enavogliflozin (maintenance group), and 77 were switched from dapagliflozin to enavogliflozin (switch group). All adverse drug reactions (ADR) were mild in severity. In the maintenance group, ADRs (cystitis and vaginal infection) were reported in two patients (2.44%) during 52 weeks. In the switch group, ADR (hypoglycaemia) was reported in one patient (1.30%) during a 28-week open-label extension period. At week 52, glycated haemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose were significantly lower than at the baseline, by 0.85% and 29.08 mg/dl, respectively, in the maintenance group (p < .0001 for both), and by 0.81% and 32.77 mg/dl, respectively, in the switch group (p < .0001 for both). At week 52, 68.92% of patients from the maintenance group and 64.29% from the switch group achieved glycated haemoglobin <7%. A significant increase in the urine glucose-creatinine ratio was observed at week 52, by 58.81 g/g and 63.77 g/g in the maintenance and switch groups, respectively (p < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Enavogliflozin added to metformin was tolerated well for up to 52 weeks and provided continual glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus, along with a significant increase in the urine glucose-creatinine ratio.

Recent advances and structure-activity relationship studies of DPP-4 inhibitors as anti-diabetic agents

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the largest public health problems worldwide and in the last decades various therapeutic targets have been investigated. For the treatment of type-2 DM (T2DM), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is one of the well reported target and has established safety in terms of cardiovascular complexicity. Preclinical and clinical studies using DPP-4 inhibitors have demonstrated its safety and effectiveness and have lesser risk of associated hypoglycaemic effect making it suitable for elderly patients. FDA has approved a number of structurally diverse DPP-4 inhibitors for clinical use. The present manuscript aims to focus on the well reported hybrid and non-hybrid analogues and their structural activity relationship (SAR) studies. It aims to provide structural insights for this class of compounds pertaining to favourable applicability of selective DPP-4 inhibitors in the treatment of T2DM.

A comprehensive review of small-molecule drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Synthetic approaches and clinical applications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a long-term metabolic disorder characterized by the body's resistance to insulin and inadequate production of insulin. Small molecule drugs to treat T2DM mainly control blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity, increasing insulin secretion, or reducing liver glycogen production. With the deepening of research on the pathogenesis of diabetes, many drugs with new targets and mechanisms of action have been discovered. The targets of the drugs for T2DM are mainly dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors (DPP4), sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2), sulfonylurea receptor modulators (SUR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonists (PPARγ), etc. We are of the opinion that acquiring a comprehensive comprehension of the synthetic procedures employed in drug molecule production will serve as a source of inventive and pragmatic inspiration for the advancement of novel, more potent, and feasible synthetic methodologies. This review aims to outline the clinical applications and synthetic routes of some representative drugs to treat T2DM, which will drive the discovery of new, more effective T2DM drugs.

Efficacy and safety of enavogliflozin vs. dapagliflozin as add-on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on renal function: a pooled analysis of two randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

We assessed the efficacy and safety of enavogliflozin (0.3 mg), a newly developed SGLT-2 inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on kidney function via pooled analysis of two 24-week, randomized, double-blind phase III trials.

METHODS

Data from 470 patients were included (enavogliflozin: 0.3 mg/day, n = 235; dapagliflozin: 10 mg/day, n = 235). The subjects were classified by mildly reduced (60 ≤ eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m², n = 247) or normal eGFR (≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m², n = 223).

RESULTS

In the mildly reduced eGFR group, enavogliflozin significantly reduced the adjusted mean change of HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels at week 24 compared to dapagliflozin (- 0.94% vs. -0.77%, P = 0.0196). Enavogliflozin exhibited a more pronounced glucose-lowering effect by HbA1c when combined with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors than that observed in their absence. Enavogliflozin showed potent blood glucose-lowering effects regardless of renal function. Conversely, dapagliflozin showed a significant decrease in the glucose-lowering efficacy as the renal function decreased. Enavogliflozin showed a higher urinary glucose excretion rate in both groups. The homeostatic model assessment showed that enavogliflozin markedly decreased the insulin resistance. The blood pressure, weight loss, or homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell function values did not differ significantly between enavogliflozin and dapagliflozin. Adverse events were similar between both drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

The glucose-lowering efficacy of enavogliflozin is superior to that of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with mild renal function impairment; this is attributed to its potent urinary glucose excretion-promoting ability. The emergence of new and potent SGLT-2 inhibitors is considered an attractive option for patients with inadequate glycemic control and decreased renal function.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable (pooled analysis).

Neuroprotective effects of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor on Alzheimer's disease: a narrative review

Insulin resistance in brain and amyloidogenesis are principal pathological features of diabetes-related cognitive decline and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A growing body of evidence suggests that maintaining glucose under control in diabetic patients is beneficial for preventing AD development. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DDP4is) are a class of novel glucose-lowering medications through increasing insulin excretion and decreasing glucagon levels that have shown neuroprotective potential in recent studies. This review consolidates extant evidence from earlier and new studies investigating the association between DPP4i use, AD, and other cognitive outcomes. Beyond DPP4i's benefits in alleviating insulin resistance and glucose-lowering, underlying mechanisms for the potential neuroprotection with DPP4i medications were categorized into the following sections: (Ferrari et al., Physiol Rev, 2021, 101, 1,047-1,081): the benefits of DPP4is on directly ameliorating the burden of β-amyloid plaques and reducing the formation of neurofibrillary tangles; DPP4i increasing the bioactivity of neuroprotective DPP4 substrates including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), and stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) etc.; pleiotropic effects of DPP4is on neuronal cells and intracerebral structure including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and anti-apoptosis. We further revisited recently published epidemiological studies that provided supportive data to compliment preclinical evidence. Given that there remains a lack of completed randomized trials that aim at assessing the effect of DPP4is in preventing AD development and progression, this review is expected to provide a useful insight into DPP4 inhibition as a potential therapeutic target for AD prevention and treatment. The evidence is helpful for informing the rationales of future clinical research and guiding evidence-based clinical practice.

SGLT2 inhibitors and AMPK: The road to cellular housekeeping?

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, known as Gliflozins, are a class of Glucose-lowering drugs in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) that induce glucosuria by blocking SGLT2 co-transporters in the proximal tubules. Several lines of evidence suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors regulate multiple mechanisms associated with the regulation of varying cellular pathways. The 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway plays an important role in metabolic homeostasis by influencing cellular processes. Recently, it has been shown that SGLT2 inhibitors can affect the AMPK pathway in differing physiological and pathological ways, resulting in kidney, intestinal, cardiovascular, and liver protective effects. Additionally, they have therapeutic effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus-associated complications. In this review, we summarize the results of studies of AMPK-associated therapeutic effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in different organelle functions.

The Ketogenic Effect of SGLT-2 Inhibitors-Beneficial or Harmful?

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, also called gliflozins or flozins, are a class of drugs that have been increasingly used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their glucose-lowering, cardiovascular (CV), and renal positive effects. However, recent studies suggest that SGLT-2 inhibitors might also have a ketogenic effect, increasing ketone body production. While this can be beneficial for some patients, it may also result in several potential unfavorable effects, such as decreased bone mineral density, infections, and ketoacidosis, among others. Due to the intricate and multifaceted impact caused by SGLT-2 inhibitors, this initially anti-diabetic class of medications has been effectively used to treat both patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those with heart failure (HF). Additionally, their therapeutic potential appears to extend beyond the currently investigated conditions. The objective of this review article is to present a thorough summary of the latest research on the mechanism of action of SGLT-2 inhibitors, their ketogenesis, and their potential synergy with the ketogenic diet for managing diabetes. The article particularly discusses the benefits and risks of combining SGLT-2 inhibitors with the ketogenic diet and their clinical applications and compares them with other anti-diabetic agents in terms of ketogenic effects. It also explores future directions regarding the ketogenic effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors.

The Role of Perivascular Adipose Tissue in the Pathogenesis of Endothelial Dysfunction in Cardiovascular Diseases and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two of the four major chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) representing the leading cause of death worldwide. Several studies demonstrate that endothelial dysfunction (ED) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of these chronic diseases. Although it is well known that systemic chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are primarily involved in the development of ED, recent studies have shown that perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is implicated in its pathogenesis, also contributing to the progression of atherosclerosis and to insulin resistance (IR). In this review, we describe the relationship between PVAT and ED, and we also analyse the role of PVAT in the pathogenesis of CVDs and T2DM, further assessing its potential therapeutic target with the aim of restoring normal ED and reducing global cardiovascular risk.

Efficacy and Safety of Enavogliflozin versus Dapagliflozin as Add-on to Metformin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 24-Week, Double-Blind, Randomized Trial

BACKGRUOUND

Enavogliflozin is a novel sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor currently under clinical development. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of enavogliflozin as an add-on to metformin in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) against dapagliflozin.

METHODS

In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, phase 3 study, 200 patients were randomized to receive enavogliflozin 0.3 mg/day (n=101) or dapagliflozin 10 mg/day (n=99) in addition to ongoing metformin therapy for 24 weeks. The primary objective of the study was to prove the non-inferiority of enavogliflozin to dapagliflozin in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) change at week 24 (non-inferiority margin of 0.35%) (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04634500).

RESULTS

Adjusted mean change of HbA1c at week 24 was -0.80% with enavogliflozin and -0.75% with dapagliflozin (difference, -0.04%; 95% confidence interval, -0.21% to 0.12%). Percentages of patients achieving HbA1c <7.0% were 61% and 62%, respectively. Adjusted mean change of fasting plasma glucose at week 24 was -32.53 and -29.14 mg/dL. An increase in urine glucose-creatinine ratio (60.48 vs. 44.94, P<0.0001) and decrease in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (-1.85 vs. -1.31, P=0.0041) were significantly greater with enavogliflozin than dapagliflozin at week 24. Beneficial effects of enavogliflozin on body weight (-3.77 kg vs. -3.58 kg) and blood pressure (systolic/diastolic, -5.93/-5.41 mm Hg vs. -6.57/-4.26 mm Hg) were comparable with those of dapagliflozin, and both drugs were safe and well-tolerated.

CONCLUSION

Enavogliflozin added to metformin significantly improved glycemic control in patients with T2DM and was non-inferior to dapagliflozin 10 mg, suggesting enavogliflozin as a viable treatment option for patients with inadequate glycemic control on metformin alone.

Diabetes-Alzheimer's connection in older age: SGLT2 inhibitors as promising modulators of disease pathways

Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) is the most frequent cause of dementia in older persons. Subjects affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at higher risk of vascular disease, cognitive decline, and dementia. LOAD has many characteristics shared with impaired insulin signaling pathways, and substantial evidence has demonstrated a pivotal role in dysregulated glucose metabolism in its pathogenesis. Recent studies have shown that some anti-diabetic drugs, other than regulating the metabolism of peripheral tissues, can also modulate the brain's metabolism, reduce inflammation, and have a direct neuroprotective effect. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a newer class with many pleiotropic effects that may have strong neuroprotective potential. After a summary of the principal "anti-diabetic" drugs acting as suitable candidates in treating LOAD, this narrative review explored the potential role of SGLT2i on cognition from pre-clinical to clinical studies.

Advances in Research on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Targets and Therapeutic Agents

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic multifaceted disease with multiple potential complications, the treatment of which can only delay and prolong the terminal stage of the disease, i.e., type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The World Health Organization predicts that diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death by 2030. Although many antidiabetic medicines have been successfully developed in recent years, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors, single-target drugs are gradually failing to meet the therapeutic requirements owing to the individual variability, diversity of pathogenesis, and organismal resistance. Therefore, there remains a need to investigate the pathogenesis of T2DM in more depth, identify multiple therapeutic targets, and provide improved glycemic control solutions. This review presents an overview of the mechanisms of action and the development of the latest therapeutic agents targeting T2DM in recent years. It also discusses emerging target-based therapies and new potential therapeutic targets that have emerged within the last three years. The aim of our review is to provide a theoretical basis for further advancement in targeted therapies for T2DM.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors to Decrease the Uric Acid Concentration-A Novel Mechanism of Action

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are glucose-lowering agents whose positive impact on cardiovascular risk has been described extensively. Not only do they influence lipid profile, blood pressure, atherosclerosis risk, hemoglobin level, and insulin resistance, but they also reduce cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and hospitalization rates. Some of these effects may be due to their impact on serum uric acid (SUA) concentration. Findings from nine meta-analyses showed that, indeed, SGLT2is significantly reduce SUA. The data on the drug- and dose-dependency of this effect were inconclusive. Several factors alternating the beneficial effects of SGLT2is on SUA, such as glycated hemoglobin concentration (HbA1c), presence of diabetes, and baseline SUA level, were described. Even though there is a consensus that the lowering of SUA by SGLT2is might be due to the increased urinary excretion rate of uric acid (UEUA) rather than its altered metabolism, the exact mechanism remains unknown. The influence of SGLT2is on SUA may not only be used in gout treatment but may also be of huge importance in explaining the observed pleiotropic effects of SGLT2is.

Increased expression of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 and O-GlcNAcylation in hepatocytes drives non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

AIMS

Steatosis reducing effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been consistently reported in humans, but their mechanism remains uncertain. In this study, we examined the expression of SGLT2 in human livers and investigated the crosstalk between SGLT2 inhibition and hepatic glucose uptake, intracellular O-GlcNAcylation, and autophagic regulation in NASH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human liver samples obtained from subjects with/without NASH were analyzed. For in vitro studies, human normal hepatocytes and hepatoma cells were treated with SGLT2 inhibitor under high-glucose and high-lipid conditions. NASH in vivo was induced by a high-fat, -fructose, and -cholesterol Amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet for 10 weeks followed by an additional 10 weeks with/without SGLT2 inhibitor (empagliflozin 10 mg/kg/day).

RESULTS

Liver samples from subjects with NASH were associated with increased SGLT2 and O-GlcNAcylation expression compared with controls. Under NASH condition (in vitro condition with high glucose and lipid), intracellular O-GlcNAcylation and inflammatory markers were increased in hepatocytes and SGLT2 expression was upregulated; SGLT2 inhibitor treatment blocked these changes by directly reducing hepatocellular glucose uptake. In addition, decreased intracellular O-GlcNAcylation by SGLT2 inhibitor promoted autophagic flux through AMPK-TFEB activation. In the AMLN diet-induced NASH mice model, SGLT2 inhibitor alleviated lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis through autophagy activation related to decreased SGLT2 expression and O-GlcNAcylation in the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

This study firstly demonstrates increased SGLT2 expression in NASH and secondly reveals the novel effect of SGLT2 inhibition on NASH by activating autophagy mediated by inhibition of hepatocellular glucose uptake and consequently decreasing intracellular O-GlcNAcylation.

To do one and to get more: Part II. Diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver diseases

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by inability of faulty pancreatic β-cells to secret a normal amount of insulin to maintain normal body consumption, and/or peripheral tissue has a decreased susceptibility to insulin, resulting in hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Similar to other chronic systemic inflammatory diseases, DM is a result from dysregulated interactions between ethnic, genetic, epigenetic, immunoregulatory, hormonal, and environmental factors. Therefore, it is rational to suppose the concept as "To do one and to get more", while using antidiabetic agents (ADA), a main pharmacologic agent for the treatment of DM, can provide an extraglycemia effect on comorbidities or concomittent comorbidities to DM. In this review, based on the much strong correlation between DM and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver diseases (MAFLD) shown by similar pathophysiological mechanisms and a high prevalence of DM in MAFLD and its vice versa (a high prevalence of MAFLD in DM), it is possible to use the strategy to target both diseases simultaneously. We focus on a new classification of ADA, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonist and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors to show the potential benefits of extraglycemic effect on MAFLD. We conclude that the management of DM patients, especially for those who need ADA as adjuvant therapy should include healthy lifestyle modification to overcome the metabolic syndrome, contributing to the urgent need of an effective weight-reduction strategy. GLP1R agonist is one of effective body weight-lowering medications, which may be a better choice for DM complicated with MAFLD or its-associated severe form as metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH), although the role of SGLT-2 inhibitors is also impressive. The prescription of these two classes of ADA may satisfy the concept "To do one and to get more", based on successful sugar-lowering effect for controlling DM and extraglycemia benefits of hepatoprotective activity in DM patients.

The Role of Mitochondria in Metabolic Syndrome–Associated Cardiomyopathy

With the rapid development of society, the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is increasing rapidly. Evidence indicated that patients diagnosed with MS usually suffered from cardiomyopathy, called metabolic syndrome–associated cardiomyopathy (MSC). The clinical characteristics of MSC included cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, followed by heart failure. Despite many studies on this topic, the detailed mechanisms are not clear yet. As the center of cellular metabolism, mitochondria are crucial for maintaining heart function, while mitochondria dysfunction plays a vital role through mechanisms such as mitochondrial energy deprivation, calcium disorder, and ROS (reactive oxygen species) imbalance during the development of MSC. Accordingly, in this review, we will summarize the characteristics of MSC and especially focus on the mechanisms related to mitochondria. In addition, we will update new therapeutic strategies in this field.

Effects of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors on Pancreatic β-Cell Mass and Function

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) not only have antihyperglycemic effects and are associated with a low risk of hypoglycemia but also have protective effects in organs, including the heart and kidneys. The pathophysiology of diabetes involves chronic hyperglycemia, which causes excessive demands on pancreatic β-cells, ultimately leading to decreases in β-cell mass and function. Because SGLT2is ameliorate hyperglycemia without acting directly on β-cells, they are thought to prevent β-cell failure by reducing glucose overload in this cell type. Several studies have shown that treatment with an SGLT2i increases β-cell proliferation and/or reduces β-cell apoptosis, resulting in the preservation of β-cell mass in animal models of diabetes. In addition, many clinical trials have shown that that SGLT2is improve β-cell function in individuals with type 2 diabetes. In this review, the preclinical and clinical data regarding the effects of SGLT2is on pancreatic β-cell mass and function are summarized and the protective effect of SGLT2is in β-cells is discussed.

Vascular and metabolic effects of SGLT2i and GLP-1 in heart failure patients

Alterations of endothelial function, inflammatory activation, and nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathway are involved in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Metabolic alterations have been studied in the myocardium of heart failure (HF) patients; alterations in ketone body and amino acid/protein metabolism have been described in patients affected by HF, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction and other modified metabolic signaling. However, their possible contributions toward cardiac function impairment in HF patients are not completely known. Recently, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) have emerged as a new class of drugs designed to treat patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but have also been shown to be protective against HF-related events and CV mortality. To date, the protective cardiovascular effects of these drugs in patients with and without T2D are not completely understood and several mechanisms have been proposed. In this review, we discuss on vascular and metabolic effects of SGLT2i and GLP-1 in HF patients.