Dapagliflozin a glucose-regulating drug with diuretic properties in subjects with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes Obes Metab. 2013 Sep;15(9):853-62. doi: 10.1111/dom.12127. Epub 2013 Jun 5.

Abstract

Aims: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) reabsorbs glucose and sodium in the renal proximal tubule. Dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, targets hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes by increasing renal glucose excretion. To investigate whether the parallel occurring sodium loss would have diuretic-like physiologic effects, we compared dapagliflozin and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) effects on 24-h blood pressure (BP), body weight, plasma volume and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 75 subjects with type 2 diabetes were assigned placebo, dapagliflozin 10 mg/day, or HCTZ 25 mg/day. Changes from baseline BP, body weight, plasma volume and GFR were assessed after 12 weeks of treatment.

Results: Subjects' mean age was 56 years, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) duration 6.3 years, and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7.5%. Treatment with placebo, dapagliflozin or HCTZ resulted in changes from baseline in 24-h ambulatory mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) of -0.9 (95%CI -4.2, +2.4), -3.3 (95%CI -6.8, +0.2), and -6.6 (95%CI -9.9, -3.2) mmHg, respectively at week 12, adjusted for baseline SBP. Body weight decreased with dapagliflozin and HCTZ. In a sub-study plasma volume appeared to decrease with dapagliflozin but did not change with placebo or HCTZ treatment. Dapagliflozin induced a greater reduction in GFR (-10.8%; 95%CI -14.6, -6.7) relative to placebo (-2.9%; 95% CI -6.9, +1.2) or HCTZ (-3.4%; 95%CI -7.3, +0.6).

Conclusions: Dapagliflozin-induced SGLT2 inhibition for 12 weeks is associated with reductions in 24-h BP, body weight, GFR and possibly plasma volume. Cumulatively, these effects suggest that dapagliflozin may have a diuretic-like capacity to lower BP in addition to beneficial effects on glycaemic control.

Keywords: HbA1c; blood pressure; dapagliflozin; renal function; type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Diuretics / administration & dosage
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Glucosides / administration & dosage
  • Glucosides / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / administration & dosage
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / therapeutic use*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss / drug effects

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Blood Glucose
  • Diuretics
  • Glucosides
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • dapagliflozin