title: SGLT-2 inhibitors: Their pleiotropic properties.
abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus has become a global pandemic. Nowadays, it is estimated that approximately 415 million people all over the world have diabetes. The sodium glucose co-transporters 2 inhibitors are a new class of glucose-lowering agents, which act through a novel mechanism by producing a decline in glucose re-absorption in the kidney, thereby increasing glycosuria and decreasing serum glucose levels. Data suggest that apart from lowering HbA1c, they produce a small but significant weight loss and a small decrease in blood pressure. Also, they possess nephro-protective potential. These drugs are demonstrated to restore intra-glomerular pressure by increasing angiotensin (1-7), which exerts vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Their profile on cardiovascular events is still under investigation. In this review, the pleiotropic potential of this novel class of glucose-lowering levels will be discussed. Further research is warranted to determine their safety in the long term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: natalia.vallianou@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Natalia G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Vallianou
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Geladari
authors.affiliation: Horonary Lecturer at Leicester University, Samos, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Kazazis
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000139:chemically induced; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077203:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000077203:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
keywords: Angiotensin (1–7); Cardiovascular risk; Glycosuria; Kidney; Safety profile; Sodium-glucose-co-transporters 2 inhibitors