The Na/K-ATPase Signaling and SGLT2 Inhibitor-Mediated Cardiorenal Protection: A Crossed Road?

Abstract

In different large-scale clinic outcome trials, sodium (Na+)/glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors showed profound cardiac- and renal-protective effects, making them revolutionary treatments for heart failure and kidney disease. Different theories are proposed according to the emerging protective effects other than the original purpose of glucose-lowering in diabetic patients. As the ATP-dependent primary ion transporter providing the Na+ gradient to drive other Na+-dependent transporters, the possible role of the sodium–potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na/K-ATPase) as the primary ion transporter and its signaling function is not explored. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]