Recent Progress and Perspectives in Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter 1/2 Inhibitors

Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-1/2 (SGLT1/2) inhibitors (also called glifozins) are a class of glucose-decreasing drugs in adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). SGLT2 inhibitors diminish sodium and glucose reabsorption in the renal proximal convoluted tubule. Recent clinical trials have revealed that SGLT2 inhibitors might be beneficial for treating diseases other than diabetes, including chronic renal disease and Heart Failure (HF). Currently, SGLT2 inhibitors are recommended not only for the glycemic management of T2D but also for cardiovascular protection. SGLT2 inhibitors have become one of the foundational drugs for HF with reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) treatment and the first medications with proven prognostic benefit in HF with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). At present, 11 SGLT1/2 inhibitors have been approved for clinical use in different countries. Beyond their anti-hyperglycemic effect, these inhibitors have shown clear cardio- and nephroprotective properties. A growing body of research studies suggests that SGLT1/2 inhibitors may provide potential clinical benefits in metabolic as well as oncological, hematological, and neurological disorders.