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Updated: Nov 15, 2025
06:35
Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial Function: A Technical Guideline of the Flow-mediated Dilation Test
Published on: April 27, 2016
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Endothelial function and dysfunction: Impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors
Azizah Ugusman1, Jaya Kumar1, Amilia Aminuddin1
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|March 4, 2021
Summary
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve endothelial function in type 2 diabetes. This review explores how SGLT2 inhibition benefits vascular health and reduces cardiovascular risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is linked to endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to cardiovascular complications.
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are effective for glycemic control and show cardiovascular benefits in type 2 diabetes.
- Emerging evidence suggests SGLT2 inhibition positively impacts both macrovascular and microvascular endothelial functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review current knowledge and hypotheses regarding the relationship between SGLT2 and endothelial function.
- To discuss the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on endothelial dysfunction based on pre-clinical and clinical studies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pre-clinical and clinical studies.
- Critical appraisal of existing research on SGLT2 and endothelial physiology.
- Synthesis of current understanding and proposed mechanisms.
Main Results:
- SGLT2 inhibition is associated with improved endothelial function.
- Potential mechanisms involve SGLT2's role in regulating endothelial physiology.
- Evidence from both animal models and human trials supports these findings.
Conclusions:
- SGLT2 inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.
- Further research into the precise mechanisms is warranted.
- SGLT2 inhibition may offer a novel approach to cardiovascular risk reduction in diabetic patients.
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