SGLT2 Inhibitors and Potential Applications in Treating Metabolic Syndrome

SGLT2 inhibitors act to induce glucosuria and have been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus but have also been shown to positively affect cardiovascular conditions and some benefitting kidney function. SGLT2i have shown to be effective in more advanced conditions but may eventually be a treatment in more general metabolic dysfunction. Metabolic syndrome is a clinical diagnosis for establishing risk for ischemic heart disease and diabetes. The prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and severe vascular events steadily increased over recent decades. In addition to the established benefits of diet and exercise, SGLT2 inhibitor therapy may be able to aid in the treatment of metabolic syndrome from its proven cardiovascular and anti-hyperglycemic benefits. Pharmacologic modeling in canines is also considered, as they present with similar diagnoses and offer a model that shares many of the characteristics of humans in metabolic dysfunction.