Renal Effects of SGLT-2 Inhibitors and Other Anti-diabetic Drugs: Clinical Relevance and Potential Risks

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease affecting an increasing percentage of general population worldwide. Patients with T2DM are frequently characterized by impaired renal function, primarily as a result of diabetic kidney injury, but also by other contributing factors, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and medications. Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT)-2 inhibitors have emerged as a new, promising class of antidiabetic agents with actions that seem to extend beyond their hypoglycemic effect.