Emergence of SGLT2 Inhibitors as Powerful Antioxidants in Human Diseases
Kai-Fan Tsai,
Yung-Lung Chen,
Terry Ting-Yu Chiou,
Tian-Huei Chu,
Lung-Chih Li,
Hwee-Yeong Ng,
Wen-Chin Lee,
Chien-Te Lee
Affiliations
Kai-Fan Tsai
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Yung-Lung Chen
Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Terry Ting-Yu Chiou
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Tian-Huei Chu
Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Lung-Chih Li
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Hwee-Yeong Ng
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Wen-Chin Lee
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Chien-Te Lee
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of oral glucose-lowering agents. Apart from their glucose-lowering effects, large clinical trials assessing certain SGLT2 inhibitors have revealed cardiac and renal protective effects in non-diabetic patients. These excellent outcomes motivated scientists and clinical professionals to revisit their underlying mechanisms. In addition to the heart and kidney, redox homeostasis is crucial in several human diseases, including liver diseases, neural disorders, and cancers, with accumulating preclinical studies demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors. In the present review, we aimed to update recent advances in the antioxidant roles of SGLT2 inhibitors in common but debilitating human diseases. We anticipate that this review will guide new research directions and novel therapeutic strategies for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, nephropathies, liver diseases, neural disorders, and cancers in the era of SGLT2 inhibitors.
