title: Dapagliflozin: more than just another oral glucose-lowering agent?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With current hypoglycemic therapies, only half of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients achieve optimal glycemic control and even fewer maintain it. Therefore, there is an unmet need for novel antidiabetic agents. Dapagliflozin, a selective inhibitor of sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2), targets hyperglycemia independently of insulin, via decreasing renal glucose reabsorption.
  
  
  METHODS
  We critically assess the results of up-to-date clinical trials with dapagliflozin in patients with T2DM and discuss its potential therapeutic applications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dapagliflozin, apart from targeting hyperglycemia, also exerts beneficial effects on blood pressure, lipid profile, body weight and waist circumference. Furthermore, serum uric acid and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were decreased in dapagliflozin-treated patients. However, there are also potentially negative effects related to dapagliflozin use that need to be addressed, such as increased hematocrit and serum parathyroid levels and the possibility of a higher rate of urinary tract and genital infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of dapagliflozin in the treatment of T2DM patients seems promising but more evidence is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry (Vascular Disease Prevention Clinics), Royal Free Hospital campus, University College London Medical School, University College London (UCL), London NW3 2QG, UK.
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsiki
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papanas
authors.forename: Dimitri P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051247:Sodium-Glucose Transport Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005960:Glucosides; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D051247:Sodium-Glucose Transport Proteins; C529054:dapagliflozin