How and why SGLT2 inhibitors should be explored as potential treatment option in diabetic retinopathy: clinical concept and methodology. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: May, Marcus; Framke, Theodor; Junker, Bernd; Framme, Carsten; Pielen*, Amelie; Schindler*, Christoph
• Is Part Of: Therapeutic advances in endocrinology and metabolism. Volume 10(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: academia -- diabetes mellitus -- diabetic macula edema -- diabetic retinopathy -- methods -- pharmacology -- SGLT2 Inhibition -- trial design; Endocrine glands -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Disorders -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Endocrine System Diseases -- therapy -- Periodicals; Metabolic Diseases -- therapy -- Periodicals; 616.4005
• DOI: 10.1177/2042018819891886
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-0188

Abstract

Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing classical microvascular complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy, which represent a significant health burden. Tight control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol reduce the risk of microvascular complications but effective pharmacologically targeted treatment options for the treatment and prevention of diabetic microangiopathy are still lacking. Pharmacological inhibition of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) might have the potential to directly protect against microvascular complications and could represent a potential treatment option. Randomized controlled clinical proof of concept trials are needed to investigate a potential central role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the prevention of diabetic microangiopathy and its classical clinical complications of retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy.