Potential mechanisms underlying cardiovascular protection by sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (empagliflozin)

The presented literature review is devoted to the cardioprotective capabilities of a new class of antihyperglycemic drugs - sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2), which improve glycemic control through an insulin-independent mechanism of action associated with an increase in urinary glucose excretion. The article presents the results of large-scale clinical trials on the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with and without diabetes, and with cardiovascular diseases or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. A number of the most frequently discussed cardiac specific mechanisms mediated by the SGLT2 inhibitor affecting the Abstract           state of the cardiovascular system are presented. Moreover, the article presents the results of a placebo-controlled clinical trial entitled “Empagliflozin reduces mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk” (EMPA-REG oUtcOmE) to analyze the cardioprotective capabilities of SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant cardiovascular diseases. The article emphasizes the importance of further research to determine the degree of contribution of the above-mentioned mechanisms to the cardioprotective potential of SGLT2 inhibitors. PubMed database was used to identify relevant studies and systematic reviews.

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