Sodium-glucose linked transporters (SGLT-2) inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are relatively novel glucose-lowering drugs for the treatment of T2DM. These agents seem to exert pleiotropic actions 'beyond glucose control'. SGLT-2 inhibitors decrease proximal sodium reabsorption and decrease glomerular pressure and albuminuria in rodents and type 1 diabetes patients. In addition, SGLT-2 inhibitors reduce, blood pressure and body weight. In rodents, SGLT-2 inhibitors also improved histopathological abnormalities associated with DKD. DPP-4 inhibitors are considered weight neutral, improve lipid profiles and slight reductions in blood pressure have been reported. To date, the potential renoprotective effects and mechanisms of SGLT-2 inhibitors and combination therapy with SGLT-2 inhibitors have not been sufficiently detailed in human type 2 diabetes. The current study aims to explore the clinical effects and mechanistics of mono- and combination therapy with an SGLT-2 inhibitor and a DPP-4 inhibitor on renal physiology and biomarkers in metformin-treated T2DM patients.~66 patients with type 2 diabetes will undergo a 16-week intervention period with 8-week empagliflozin (SGLT-2 inhibitor) monotherapy, followed by 8-week empagliflozin and linagliptin (DPP-4 inhibitor) combination therapy or 8-week linagliptin monotherapy, followed by 8-week linagliptin and empagliflozin combination therapy or 8-week gliclazide (SU derivative), followed by 8-week gliclazide intensification therapy in order to assess changes in the outcome parameters.
The current study aims to explore the clinical effects and mechanistics of mono- and combination therapy with SGLT-2 inhibitor empagliflozin and DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin on renal physiology and biomarkers in metformin-treated T2DM patients.