SGLT2 inhibitors attenuate nephrin loss and enhance TGF-β1 secretion in type 2 diabetes patients with albuminuria: a randomized clinical trial

Yuan Tian, Xiao-Min Chen, Xian-Ming Liang, Xiao-Bin Wu, Chun-Meng Yao, Yuan Tian, Xiao-Min Chen, Xian-Ming Liang, Xiao-Bin Wu, Chun-Meng Yao

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on albuminuria, nephrin (NPH) and transforming-growth-factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) levels in urine and low-grade inflammation in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. A randomized, blank-controlled clinical trial included 68 T2D patients and 10 controls. Based on the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), 68 diabetic patients were stratified into three levels, UACR < 30 mg/g, UACR ≧ 30 mg/g to ≦ 300 mg/g and UACR ˃ 300 mg/g, who were randomized (1:1:1) to receive SGLT2i treatment for 12 weeks. The concentrations of NPH and TGF-β1 in urine were measured as indications of podocyte injury and renal fibrosis. Low-grade inflammation was assessed by the levels of IL-6, TNFα and hsCRP. After 12 weeks of SGLT2i treatment, the levels of UACR and NPH decreased, UTGF-β1 increased in the T2D with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria groups, NPH (1.12 [0.59, 1.29] vs. 0.71 [0.41, 1.07] µg/ml, P = 0.022) and (1.29 [0.99, 1.96] vs. 0.93 [0.57, 1.31] µg/ml, P = 0.002), UTGF-β1 (4.88 ± 1.31 vs. 7.27 ± 1.21 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and (4.30 ± 1.34 vs. 6.78 ± 2.59 pg/ml, P < 0.001), respectively. The changes in NPH were positively correlated with the UACR and negatively correlated with UTGF-β1 in T2D with albuminuria. SGLT2i alleviate nephrin loss and enhance TGF-β1 excretion in urine in T2DM with albuminuria. The anti-albuminuric effect of SGLT2i could be attributed to mitigating podocyte apoptosis and attenuating renal fibrosis.Trial registration This clinical trial was registered on 15/10/2019, in ClinicalTrials.gov, and the registry number is NCT04127084.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

© 2022. The Author(s).

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes of nephrin (NPH) before and after 12-week treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors in different UACR levels. NPH nephrin, UACR urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes of UTGFβ1 before and after 12-week treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors in different UACR levels. UTGFβ1 urine transforming-growth-factor-beta1, UACR urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, *P < 0.001.

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