title: SGLT2 inhibitors: a new emerging therapeutic class in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. The existing therapeutic classes of antidiabetic drugs are not adequately effective in maintaining long-term glycemic control in most patients, even when used in combination. One emerging novel therapeutic class of antidiabetic drugs is sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 accounts for 90% of the glucose reabsorption in the kidney. The SGLT2 inhibitors increase urinary excretion of glucose and lower plasma glucose levels in an insulin-independent manner. Dapagliflozin, the most prominent molecule in this class, is currently in a phase III clinical trial. Other members of this class (eg, sergliflozin, remogliflozin) are also in different phases of clinical trials. This class of novel agents can effectively control blood sugar level without producing weight gain or hypoglycemia. Results of ongoing phase III clinical trials are crucial to determine whether the risk-benefit ratio will allow approval of this new class of drugs for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. dr.raktimghosh@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Raktim Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Samhati Mondal
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.forename: Sarfaraz Abdeli
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jasdanwala
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051297:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2; D000077203:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; C089180:SLC5A2 protein, human; D051297:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2; D000077203:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; D005947:Glucose