Expanding the Use of SGLT2 Inhibitors in T2D Patients Across Clinical Settings

Alessandro Cuttone1, Vittorio Cannavò1, Raouf Mastan Sheik Abdullah1

  • 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy.

Cells
|May 13, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) offer benefits beyond glucose control in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This review explores their expanding role in managing comorbidities like fatty liver and cognitive issues.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are established for type 2 diabetes (T2D) management, primarily for glycemic control.
  • Proven cardiovascular and renal benefits position SGLT2i as crucial in T2D, particularly with kidney disease or heart failure.
  • T2D patients frequently present with comorbidities like MAFLD and cognitive impairment, some sharing pathophysiological links with diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current literature on SGLT2i efficacy in T2D beyond glycemic control.
  • To explore the potential of SGLT2i in managing various comorbidities in T2D patients.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these broader effects of SGLT2i.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of existing scientific literature.
  • Synthesis of evidence on SGLT2i effects in diverse clinical settings.
  • Analysis of proposed molecular pathways involved in SGLT2i action.

Main Results:

  • Accumulating evidence suggests SGLT2i may benefit conditions beyond established indications.
  • Potential roles in managing MAFLD and cognitive impairment in T2D are under investigation.
  • SGLT2i's pleiotropic effects are being explored for personalized T2D treatment strategies.

Conclusions:

  • SGLT2i demonstrate potential therapeutic applications in T2D patients with various comorbidities.
  • Further research is warranted to fully understand and utilize the multifaceted benefits of SGLT2i.
  • Personalized treatment approaches incorporating SGLT2i may improve outcomes in complex T2D cases.

Related Concept Videos

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones01:26

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...
143
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
272
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors01:23

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a...
140
Secondary Active Transport01:32

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
6.6K
Glucose Transporters01:27

Glucose Transporters

Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
22.2K
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Sulfonylureas01:17

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas are oral hypoglycemic agents utilized in treating type 2 diabetes. They are characterized by their unique sulfonylurea chemical structure. The family of sulfonylureas is divided into generations. First-generation sulfonylureas, including tolbutamide (Orinase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), and tolazamide (Tolinase), trigger insulin release from pancreatic β cells and enhance peripheral tissues' insulin sensitivity. The second-generation members, such as glipizide...
166