Canagliflozin regulates metabolic reprogramming in diabetic kidney disease by inducing fasting-like and aestivation-like metabolic patterns.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (SGLT2i) are antihyperglycaemic drugs that protect the kidneys of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the underlying mechanisms mediating the renal benefits of SGLT2i are not fully understood. Considering the fuel switches that occur during therapeutic SGLT2 inhibition, we hypothesised that SGLT2i induce fasting-like and aestivation-like metabolic patterns, both of which contribute to the regulation of metabolic reprogramming in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: Untargeted and targeted metabolomics assays were performed on plasma samples from participants with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease (n=35, 11 women) receiving canagliflozin (CANA) 100 mg/day at baseline and 12 week follow-up. Next, a systematic snapshot of the effect of CANA on key metabolites and pathways in the kidney was obtained using db/db mice. Moreover, the effects of glycine supplementation in db/db mice and human proximal tubular epithelial cells (human kidney-2 [HK-2]) cells were studied. RESULTS: Treatment of DKD patients with CANA for 12 weeks significantly reduced HbA1c from a median (interquartile range 25-75%) of 49.0 (44.0-57.0) mmol/mol (7.9%, [7.10-9.20%]) to 42.2 (39.7-47.7) mmol/mol (6.8%, [6.40-7.70%]), and reduced urinary albumin/creatinine ratio from 67.8 (45.9-159.0) mg/mmol to 47.0 (26.0-93.6) mg/mmol. The untargeted metabolomics assay showed downregulated glycolysis and upregulated fatty acid oxidation. The targeted metabolomics assay revealed significant upregulation of glycine. The kidneys of db/db mice undergo significant metabolic reprogramming, with changes in sugar, lipid and amino acid metabolism; CANA regulated the metabolic reprogramming in the kidneys of db/db mice. In particular, the pathways for glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, as well as the metabolite of glycine, were significantly upregulated in CANA-treated kidneys. Glycine supplementation ameliorated renal lesions in db/db mice by inhibiting food intake, improving insulin sensitivity and reducing blood glucose levels. Glycine supplementation improved apoptosis of human proximal tubule cells via the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In conclusion, our study shows that CANA ameliorates DKD by inducing fasting-like and aestivation-like metabolic patterns. Furthermore, DKD was ameliorated by glycine supplementation, and the beneficial effects of glycine were probably due to the activation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway.

Cardiorenal Biomarkers, Canagliflozin, and Outcomes in Diabetic Kidney Disease: The CREDENCE Trial.

BACKGROUND: People with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria are at an elevated risk for cardiac and renal events. The optimal biomarkers to aid disease prediction and to understand the benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibition remain unclear. METHODS: Among 2627 study participants in the CREDENCE trial (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation), concentrations of NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, growth differentiation factor-15, and IGFBP7 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7) were measured. The effect of canagliflozin on biomarker concentrations was evaluated. The prognostic potential of each biomarker on the primary outcome (a composite of end-stage kidney disease [dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate of <15 mL·min-1·1.73 m-2], doubling of the serum creatinine level, or renal death or cardiovascular death) was assessed. RESULTS: The median (quartiles 1 and 3) concentration of each biomarker was generally elevated: NT-proBNP, 180 ng/L (82, 442 ng/L); high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, 19 ng/L (12, 29 ng/L); growth differentiation factor-15, 2595 ng/L (1852, 3775 ng/L); and IGFBP7, 121.8 ng/mL (105.4, 141.5 ng/mL). At 1 year, the biomarkers all rose by 6% to 29% in the placebo arm but only by 3% to 10% in the canagliflozin arm (all P<0.01 in multivariable linear mixed-effect models). Baseline concentrations of each biomarker were strongly predictive of cardiac and renal outcomes. When the biomarkers were analyzed together in a multimarker panel, individuals with high risk scores (hazard ratio [HR], 4.01 [95% CI, 2.52-6.35]) and moderate risk scores (HR, 2.39 [95% CI, 1.48-3.87]) showed a higher risk for the primary outcome compared with those with low risk scores. By 1 year, a 50% increase in NT-proBNP (HR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.08-1.15]), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (HR, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.64-2.10]), growth differentiation factor-15 (HR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.24-1.70]), and IGFBP7 (HR, 3.76 [95% CI, 2.54-5.56]) was associated with risk of the primary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple cardiorenal stress biomarkers are strongly prognostic in people with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria. Canagliflozin modestly reduced the longitudinal trajectory of rise in each biomarker. Change in the biomarker level in addition to the baseline level augments the primary outcome prediction. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT02065791.

Is there any robust evidence showing that SGLT2 inhibitor predisposes to cancer?

BACKGROUND: The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of SGLT-2 inhibitors in the development, progression or treatment of malignancies are not fully understood, but multiple hypotheses have been proposed. SGLT-2 inhibitors have potential anti-proliferative roles due to several underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, such as inhibition of ATP production, activation of AMPK signalling, induction of apoptosis and ferroptosis, inhibition of glutamate dehydrogenase activity and inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis. However, heterogeneity among tumour cells and SGLT-2 inhibitor drugs limit the generalizability of pre-clinical studies. METHODS: This is a narrative review discussing the potential anti-cancer effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors, an oral glucose-lowering medication used in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. This review discusses underlying mechanisms, pre-clinical and clinical trial data, epidemiological data and future perspectives on the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in cancer treatment. RESULTS: Type II diabetes is linked to various comorbidities and malignancies, but some glucose-slowering medications may have a preventive role in cancer. The use of SGLT-2 inhibitors was associated with bladder cancer based on mice studies. However, meta-analyses showed no significant increase in overall malignancy incidence of any specific type, except for empagliflozin and bladder cancer association. SGLT-2 inhibitors can potentially reduce the heart damage caused by doxorubicin and sunitinib, while enhancing the anti-cancer effects of doxorubicin. Combining SGLT-2 inhibitors with doxorubicin may allow higher doses of chemotherapy use. Multiple ongoing clinical trials are investigating the potential therapeutic potential of SGLT-2 inhibitors in various types of cancer. CONCLUSION: More large-scale pre-clinical and clinical studies are needed to explore their potential preventive and therapeutic roles of SGLT-2 inhibitors in cancer treatment. In this narrative review, our aim is to explore the pre-clinical and clinical data regarding the potential anti-cancer effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors including the hypothetical pathophysiological mechanisms.

Targeting autophagy to counteract neuroinflammation: A novel antidepressant strategy.

Depression is a common disease that affects physical and mental health and imposes a considerable burden on afflicted individuals and their families worldwide. Depression is associated with a high rate of disability and suicide. It causes a severe decline in productivity and quality of life. Unfortunately, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying depression have not been fully elucidated, and the risk of its treatment is still presented. Studies have shown that the expression of autophagic markers in the brain and peripheral inflammatory mediators are dysregulated in depression. Autophagy-related genes regulate the level of autophagy and change the inflammatory response in depression. Depression is related to several aspects of immunity. The regulation of the immune system and inflammation by autophagy may lead to the development or deterioration of mental disorders. This review highlights the role of autophagy and neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of depression, sumaries the autophagy-targeting small moleculars, and discusses a novel therapeutic strategy based on anti-inflammatory mechanisms that target autophagy to treat the disease.

Association of type III collagen turnover with cardiovascular outcomes and impact with canagliflozin in the CANVAS Program: A post hoc analysis.

AIM: To investigate type III collagen (COL III) turnover in participants from the CANVAS Program biomarker substudy. METHODS: Biomarkers of COL III formation (PRO-C3) and COL III degradation fragments (C3M and CTX-III) were assessed in baseline and year 3 plasma from patients enrolled in CANVAS, investigating the effect of canagliflozin in participants with type 2 diabetes. The clinical outcomes investigated in this study were hospitalization for heart failure, cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Higher levels of PRO-C3 and C3M at baseline were associated with an increased incidence of all investigated outcomes, whereas levels of CTX-III at baseline were not associated with any of the investigated outcomes. Levels of PRO-C3 decreased and levels of CTX-III increased following canagliflozin treatment. An increase from baseline to year 3 in PRO-C3 in the placebo arm was associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular outcomes, and in all participants was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in PRO-C3 and CTX-III reflect a shift in the dynamics of COL3 turnover following treatment with canagliflozin. These biomarkers are promising pharmacodynamic tools that can be used to monitor the impact of canagliflozin treatment and possibly other sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors on tissue remodelling in future interventional trials.

Medication adherence to sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors versus glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: A meta-analysis.

AIM: To perform a meta-analysis comparing real-world medication adherence to sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) versus glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of Medline and Embase was conducted through October 2023. To meet inclusion criteria, articles had to be published in full text form and directly compare medication adherence to SGLT2is versus GLP-1RAs in adults. Only studies evaluating real-world data and utilizing the proportion of days covered (PDC) to measure adherence were included. Non-adherence, defined as the proportion of patients with a PDC <80%, was the primary outcome. A subgroup analysis evaluating results among studies conducted in the United States was performed. RESULTS: We identified eight studies evaluating 205 103 patients for inclusion. The most common country from which the data was derived was the United States (n = 5 studies). Upon meta-analysis, we observed no difference in non-adherence (i.e. PDC <80%) to SGLT2is versus GLP-1RAs (relative risk = 0.86; 95% confidence interval = 0.72-1.02). In the analysis, including only US studies, SGLT2i use was associated with a 23% lower risk of non-adherence compared with GLP-1RA use (relative risk = 0.77; 95% confidence interval = 0.72-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: In this meta-analysis of eight studies that included approximately 200 000 patients, there was no difference in adherence to SGLT2is versus GLP-1RAs. However, SGLT2i use was associated with higher adherence when the analysis was limited to US studies.

Pioglitazone reduces serum ketone bodies in sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor-treated non-obese type 2 diabetes: A single-centre, randomized, crossover trial.

AIM: To examine the effects of the thiazolidinedione (TZD) pioglitazone on reducing ketone bodies in non-obese patients with T2DM treated with the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor canagliflozin. METHODS: Crossover trials with two periods, each treatment period lasting 4 weeks, with a 4-week washout period, were conducted. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive pioglitazone combined with canagliflozin (PIOG + CANA group) versus canagliflozin monotherapy (CANA group). The primary outcome was change (Δ) in ß-hydroxybutyric acid (ß-HBA) before and after the CANA or PIOG + CANA treatments. The secondary outcomes were Δchanges in serum acetoacetate and acetone, the rate of conversion into urinary ketones, and Δchanges in factors related to SGLT2 inhibitor-induced ketone body production including non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), glucagon, glucagon to insulin ratio, and noradrenaline (NA). Analyses were performed in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 49 ± 7.97 years and a body mass index of 25.35 ± 2.22 kg/m2 were included. One patient discontinued the study during the washout period. Analyses revealed a significant increase in the levels of serum ketone bodies and an elevation in the rate of conversion into urinary ketones after both interventions. However, differernces in levels of ketone bodies (except for acetoacetate) in the PIOG + CANA group were significantly smaller than in the CANA group (219.84 ± 80.21 µmol/L vs. 317.69 ± 83.07 µmol/L, p < 0.001 in ß-HBA; 8.98 ± 4.17 µmol/L vs. 12.29 ± 5.27 µmol/L, p = 0.018 in acetone). NEFA, glucagon, glucagon to insulin ratio, and NA were also significantly increased after both CANA and PIOG + CANA treatments; while only NEFAs demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups. Correlation analyses revealed a significant association between the difference in Δchanges in serum NEFA levels with the differences in Δchanges in ketones of ß-HBA and acetoacetate. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of pioglitazone could alleviate canagliflozin-induced ketone bodies. This benefit may be closely associated with decreased substrate NEFAs rather than other factors including glucagon, fasting insulin and NA.

Ethnic disparities in cardiovascular and renal responses to canagliflozin between Asian and White patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A post hoc analysis of the CANVAS Program.

AIM: To assess the potential heterogeneity in cardiovascular (CV), renal and safety outcomes of canagliflozin between Whites and Asians, as well as these outcomes in each subgroup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CANVAS Program enrolled 10 142 patients with type 2 diabetes, comprising 78.34% Whites and 12.66% Asians. CV, renal and safety outcomes were comprehensively analysed using Cox regression models, while intermediate markers were assessed using time-varying mixed-effects models. Racial heterogeneity was evaluated by adding a treatment-race interacion term. RESULTS: Canagliflozin showed no significant racial disparities in the majority of the CV, renal and safety outcomes. The heterogeneity (p = .04) was observed on all-cause mortality, with reduced risk in Whites (hazard ratio 0.84; 95% confidence interval 0.71-0.99) and a statistically non-significant increased risk in Asians (hazard ratio 1.64; 95% confidence interval 0.94-2.90). There was a significant racial difference in acute kidney injury (p = .04) and a marginally significant racial heterogeneity for the composite of hospitalization for heart failure and CV death (p = .06) and serious renal-related adverse events (p = .07). CONCLUSION: Canagliflozin reduced CV and renal risks similarly in Whites and Asians; however, there was a significant racial discrepancy in all-cause mortality. This distinction may be attributed to the fact that Asian patients exhibited diminished CV protection effects and more renal adverse events with canagliflozin, potentially resulting from the smaller reductions in weight and uric acid. These findings highlight the importance of investigating the impact of race on treatment response to sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and provide more precise treatment strategies.

An overview of the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial: The primary outcomes and key clinical implications for those managing patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: To provide an overview of the primary outcomes and key clinical implications of the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial, which were event-driven, double-blind randomized controlled trials that established the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin in those with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and high cardiovascular risk (CV) or albuminuric chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS AND RESULTS: The CANVAS programme (CANVAS and CANVAS-R trials) randomized 10 142 people with T2D and high CV risk to canagliflozin or placebo and followed them for a median of 126 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was met, with canagliflozin treatment associated with a 14% reduction in major adverse CV events (hazard ratio [HR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75 to 0.97; p < 0.001) as compared to placebo. The CREDENCE trial randomized 4401 individuals with T2D and albuminuric CKD to canagliflozin or placebo and followed them for 109 weeks. The CREDENCE trial also met its primary endpoint; canagliflozin treatment was associated with a 30% reduction in the composite of kidney failure, sustained doubling of serum creatinine level, or death from kidney or CV causes (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.82; p < 0.001). Substantial reductions in hospitalization for heart failure (CANVAS: HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.87; CREDENCE: HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.80) and other key CV and kidney outcomes were also identified. Relative clinical benefits were consistent across subgroups defined by baseline age, sex, kidney function and history of CV disease but absolute benefits were greatest in those at highest baseline risk. Total serious adverse events were less common with canagliflozin treatment. Concerns about amputation and fracture risk observed in the CANVAS Program were not seen in CREDENCE and appear to have been spurious chance findings. CONCLUSION: Canagliflozin reduced important CV, kidney and mortality outcomes in those with T2D and high CV risk or CKD across diverse patient groups, with a good safety profile. Taken together with the other sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor CV and renal outcomes trials, these landmark findings have changed the treatment landscape for patients worldwide.

Geographic and racial variability in kidney, cardiovascular and safety outcomes with canagliflozin: A secondary analysis of the CREDENCE randomized trial.

AIM: To explore the effect of canagliflozin on kidney and cardiovascular events and safety outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease across geographic regions and racial groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stratified Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess efficacy and safety outcomes by geographic region and racial group. The primary composite outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), doubling of the serum creatinine (SCr) level, or death from kidney or cardiovascular causes. Secondary outcomes included: (i) cardiovascular death or heart failure (HF) hospitalization; (ii) cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke; (iii) HF hospitalization; (iv) doubling of the SCr level, ESKD or kidney death; (v) cardiovascular death; (vi) all-cause death; and (vii) cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, or hospitalization for HF or for unstable angina. RESULTS: The 4401 patients were divided into six geographic region subgroups: North America (n = 1182, 27%), Central and South America (n = 941, 21%), Eastern Europe (n = 947, 21%), Western Europe (n = 421, 10%), Asia (n = 749, 17%) and Other (n = 161, 4%). The analyses included four racial groups: White (n = 2931, 67%), Black or African American (n = 224, 5%), Asian (n = 877, 20%) and Other (n = 369, 8%). Canagliflozin reduced the relative risk of the primary composite outcome in the overall trial by 30% (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.59-0.82; P = 0.00001). Across geographic regions and racial groups, canagliflozin consistently reduced the primary composite endpoint without evidence of heterogeneity (interaction P values of 0.39 and 0.91, respectively) or significant safety outcome differences. CONCLUSIONS: Canagliflozin reduces the risk of kidney and cardiovascular events similarly across geographic regions and racial groups.

Canagliflozin Pretreatment Attenuates Myocardial Dysfunction and Improves Postcardiac Arrest Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Mice.

OBJECTIVE: The SGLT2 inhibitor, canagliflozin, not only reduces glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes but also exerts cardioprotective effects in individuals without diabetes. However, its potential beneficial effects in cardiac arrest have not been characterized. The purpose of this study was to examine the protective effect of canagliflozin pretreatment on postresuscitation-induced cardiac dysfunction in vivo. METHODS: Male C57/BL6 mice were randomized to vehicle (sham and control) or canagliflozin treatment groups. All mice except for the sham-operated mice were subjected to potassium chloride-induced cardiac arrest followed by chest compressions and intravenous epinephrine for resuscitation. Canagliflozin therapy efficacies were evaluated by electrocardiogram, echocardiography, histological analysis, inflammatory response, serum markers of myocardial injury, protein phosphorylation analysis, and immunohistological assessment. RESULTS: Canagliflozin-pretreated mice exhibited a higher survival rate (P < 0.05), a shorter return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) time (P < 0.01) and a higher neurological score (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001) than control mice after resuscitation. Canagliflozin was effective at improving cardiac arrest and resuscitation-associated cardiac dysfunction, indicated by increased left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening (P < 0.001). Canagliflozin reduced serum levels of LDH, CK-MB and α-HBDH, ameliorated systemic inflammatory response, and diminished the incidence of early resuscitation-induced arrhythmia. Notably, canagliflozin promoted phosphorylation of cardiac STAT-3 postresuscitation. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of STAT-3 by Ag490 blunted STAT-3 phosphorylation and abolished the cardioprotective actions of canagliflozin. CONCLUSIONS: Canagliflozin offered a strong cardioprotective effect against cardiac arrest and resuscitation-induced cardiac dysfunction. This canagliflozin-induced cardioprotection is mediated by the STAT-3-dependent cell-survival signaling pathway.

Canagliflozin alleviates pulmonary hypertension by activating PPARγ and inhibiting its S225 phosphorylation.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive fatal disease with no cure. Canagliflozin (CANA), a novel medication for diabetes, has been found to have remarkable cardiovascular benefits. However, few studies have addressed the effect and pharmacological mechanism of CANA in the treatment of PH. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the effect and pharmacological mechanism of CANA in treating PH. First, CANA suppressed increased pulmonary artery pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, and vascular remodeling in both mouse and rat PH models. Network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and biological results suggested that CANA could ameliorate PH by suppressing excessive oxidative stress and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation partially through the activation of PPARγ. Further studies demonstrated that CANA inhibited phosphorylation of PPARγ at Ser225 (a novel serine phosphorylation site in PPARγ), thereby promoting the nuclear translocation of PPARγ and increasing its ability to resist oxidative stress and proliferation. Taken together, our study not only highlighted the potential pharmacological effect of CANA on PH but also revealed that CANA-induced inhibition of PPARγ Ser225 phosphorylation increases its capacity to counteract oxidative stress and inhibits proliferation. These findings may stimulate further research and encourage future clinical trials exploring the therapeutic potential of CANA in PH treatment.

Mutagenic and genotoxic in silico QSAR prediction of dimer impurity of gliflozins; canagliflozin, dapaglifozin, and emphagliflozin and in vitro evaluation by Ames and micronucleus test.

Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Empagliflozin, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, are indicated for managing type II diabetes. Although the genotoxicity profiles of these drugs are well-explored, limited information exists regarding the genotoxic potential of their impurities. In this investigation, the dimer impurities of Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Empagliflozin underwent both in silico and in vitro assessments for mutagenic potential. Tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli were subjected to the Ames test, utilizing concentrations of up to 1 µg per plate, with and without the presence of metabolic activation. Evaluation of micronucleus induction in TK6 cells was conducted through a micronucleus test, exploring concentrations up to 500 µg/mL, with or without the presence of exogenous metabolic activation. Under the specific test conditions, the dimer impurities of Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Empagliflozin showed no evidence of mutagenicity or clastrogenicity, establishing their in vitro classification as nonmutagenic. These findings align with negative in silico predictions from quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analyses for mutagenicity and genotoxicity of the dimer impurities. Collectively, these studies contribute clinically relevant safety information by confirming that the dimer impurities of Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Empagliflozin are nonmutagenic and nongenotoxic, emphasizing the consistency between in silico and in vitro data.

Canagliflozin attenuates kidney injury, gut-derived toxins, and gut microbiota imbalance in high-salt diet-fed Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of canagliflozin (20 mg/kg) on Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rat gut microbiota and salt-sensitive hypertension-induced kidney injury and further explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: Rats were fed a high-salt diet to induce hypertension and kidney injury, and physical and physiological indicators were measured afterwards. This study employed 16S rRNA sequencing technology and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based metabolic profiling combined with advanced differential and association analyses to investigate the correlation between the microbiome and the metabolome in male DSS rats. RESULTS: A high-salt diet disrupted the balance of the intestinal flora and increased toxic metabolites (methyhistidines, creatinine, homocitrulline, and indoxyl sulfate), resulting in severe kidney damage. Canagliflozin contributed to reconstructing the intestinal flora of DSS rats by significantly increasing the abundance of Corynebacterium spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Facklamia spp., Lactobacillus spp., Ruminococcus spp., Blautia spp., Coprococcus spp., and Allobaculum spp. Moreover, the reconstruction of the intestinal microbiota led to significant changes in host amino acid metabolite concentrations. The concentration of uremic toxins, such as methyhistidines, creatinine, and homocitrulline, in the serum of rats was decreased by canagliflozin, which resulted in oxidative stress and renal injury alleviation. CONCLUSION: Canagliflozin may change the production of metabolites and reduce the level of uremic toxins in the blood circulation by reconstructing the intestinal flora of DSS rats fed a high-salt diet, ultimately alleviating oxidative stress and renal injury.

Pharmacokinetics and Alterations in Glucose and Insulin Levels After a Single Dose of Canagliflozin in Healthy Icelandic Horses.

Canagliflozin (CFZ) is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor that has shown promising results as a drug for the treatment of insulin dysregulation in horses. Even though CFZ is used clinically, no pharmacokinetic data has previously been published. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of CFZ after administration of a single oral dose of 1.8 mg/kg in eight healthy Icelandic horses was examined. Additionally, the effect of treatment on glucose and insulin levels in response to a graded glucose infusion was investigated. Plasma samples for CFZ quantification were taken at 0, 0.33, 0.66, 1, 1.33, 1.66, 2, 2.33, 2.66, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 24, 32, and 48 h post administration. CFZ was quantified using UHPLC coupled to tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). A non-compartmental analysis revealed key pharmacokinetic parameters, including a median Tmax of 7 h, a Cmax of 2350 ng/mL, and a t1/2Z of 28.5 h. CFZ treatment reduced glucose (AUCGLU, p = 0.001) and insulin (AUCINS, p = 0.04) response to a graded glucose infusion administered 5 h after treatment. This indicates a rapid onset of action following a single dose in healthy Icelandic horses. No obvious adverse effects related to the treatment were observed.

SGLT2 Inhibitors Empagliflozin and Canagliflozin Ameliorate Allergic Asthma Responses in Mice.

Inhibitors of sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), such as empagliflozin and canagliflozin, have been widely used to block glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubules of kidneys in patients with diabetes. A meta-analysis suggested that SGLT2 inhibitors are associated with a decreased risk of asthma development. Therefore, we investigated whether SGLT2 inhibitors could suppress allergic asthma. Empagliflozin and canagliflozin suppressed the in vitro degranulation reaction induced by antigens in a concentration-dependent manner in RBL-2H3 mast cells. Empagliflozin and canagliflozin were administered to BALB/c mice sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA). The administration of empagliflozin or canagliflozin significantly suppressed OVA-induced airway hyper-responsiveness and increased the number of immune cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The administration of empagliflozin and canagliflozin also suppressed OVA-induced histopathological changes in the lungs. Empagliflozin and canagliflozin also suppressed serum IgE levels. These results suggested that empagliflozin and canagliflozin may be applicable for the treatment of allergic asthma by suppressing immune responses.

Synthesis of New Derivatives of Berberine Canagliflozin and Study of Their Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism.

The isoquinoline alkaloid berberine, derived from Coptidis rhizoma, exhibits antibacterial, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Canagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. We synthesized compounds B9OC and B9OBU by conjugating canagliflozin and n-butane at the C9 position of berberine, aiming to develop antimicrobial agents for combating bacterial infections worldwide. We utilized clinically prevalent pathogenic bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to investigate the antibacterial efficacy of B9OC. This was accomplished through the determination of the MIC80 values, analysis of bacterial growth curves, evaluation of biofilm formation using crystal violet staining, assessment of impact on bacterial proteins via SDS-PAGE analysis, and observation of alterations in bacterial morphology utilizing field emission scanning electron microscopy. Meanwhile, the ADMET of compound B9OC was predicted using a computer-aided method. The findings revealed that B9OC exhibited lower minimal inhibitory concentrations against all three bacteria compared to berberine alone or in combination with canagliflozin. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of B9OC against the three experimental strains were determined to be 0.035, 0.258, and 0.331 mM. However, B9OBu exhibited a lower level of antimicrobial activity compared to berberine. The compound B9OC exhibits a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity by disrupting the integrity of bacterial cell walls, leading to cellular rupture and the subsequent degradation of intracellular proteins.

Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibition increases epidermal growth factor expression and improves outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Underlying molecular mechanisms of the kidney protective effects of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are not fully elucidated. Therefore, we studied the association between urinary epidermal growth factor (uEGF), a mitogenic factor involved in kidney repair, and kidney outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The underlying molecular mechanisms of the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin on EGF using single-cell RNA sequencing from kidney tissue were examined. Urinary EGF-to-creatinine ratio (uEGF/Cr) was measured in 3521 CANagliflozin cardioVascular Assessment Study (CANVAS) participants at baseline and week 52. Associations of uEGF/Cr with kidney outcome were assessed using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed using protocol kidney biopsy tissue from ten young patients with T2D on SGLT2i, six patients with T2D on standard care only, and six healthy controls (HCs). In CANVAS, each doubling in baseline uEGF/Cr was associated with a 12% (95% confidence interval 1-22) decreased risk of kidney outcome. uEGF/Cr decreased after 52 weeks with placebo and remained stable with canagliflozin (between-group difference +7.3% (2.0-12.8). In young persons with T2D, EGF mRNA was primarily expressed in the thick ascending loop of Henle. Expression in biopsies from T2D without SGLT2i was significantly lower compared to HCs, whereas treatment with SGLT2i increased EGF levels closer to the healthy state. In young persons with T2D without SGLT2i, endothelin-1 emerged as a key regulator of the EGF co-expression network. SGLT2i treatment was associated with a shift towards normal EGF expression. Thus, decreased uEGF represents increased risk of kidney disease progression in patients with T2D. Canagliflozin increased kidney tissue expression of EGF and was associated with a downstream signaling cascade linked to tubular repair and reversal of tubular injury.

Canagliflozin ameliorates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in high-salt diet-induced hypertensive renal injury through restoration of sirtuin 3 expression and the reduction of oxidative stress.

Hypertensive nephropathy is characterized by long-term damage to renal tissues by chronic uncontrolled hypertension, and ultimately leads to the development of renal fibrosis. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) potentially contributes to the promotion of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we investigated the potential roles of canagliflozin (Cana) on renal EMT and oxidative stress through its effects on sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) expression. High-salt diet (HSD)-induced Dahl salt-sensitive rats hypertensive renal injury led to decreased SIRT3 expression and an increase in EMT and oxidative stress. In contrast, Cana administration rescued SIRT3 expression, decreased both EMT and levels of oxidative stress, and ameliorated renal injury. Furthermore, we compared the antihypertensive and renoprotective properties of Cana when combined with irbesartan (Irb), a renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blocker. We concluded that administration of Cana in combination with Irb had a significantly greater effect in lowering systolic blood pressure when compared to Cana monotherapy. However, no statistical differences were observed between combined therapy and monotherapy groups with regards to the lowering of diastolic blood pressure and renoprotection. Utilizing the human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2), Angiotensin II (AngⅡ) induced HK-2 negatively regulated the expression of SIRT3, FOXO3a, catalase, and promoted EMT, all of which were reversed by Cana. Furthermore, SIRT3 silencing abolished Cana-mediated rescue of forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) and catalase expression and Cana-mediated suppression of EMT in AngⅡ induced HK-2. Taken together, Cana acts as a renoprotective agent by suppressing EMT in the pathology of renal fibrosis via interaction with the SIRT3-FOXO3a pathway.

Kidney and Cardiovascular Effects of Canagliflozin According to Age and Sex: A Post Hoc Analysis of the CREDENCE Randomized Clinical Trial.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: It is unclear whether the effect of canagliflozin on adverse kidney and cardiovascular events in those with diabetic kidney disease varies by age and sex. We assessed the effects of canagliflozin among age group categories and between sexes in the Canagliflozin and Renal Endpoints in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation (CREDENCE) study. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Participants in the CREDENCE trial. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to receive canagliflozin 100mg/d or placebo. OUTCOMES: Primary composite outcome of kidney failure, doubling of serum creatinine concentration, or death due to kidney or cardiovascular disease. Prespecified secondary and safety outcomes were also analyzed. Outcomes were evaluated by age at baseline (<60, 60-69, and≥70 years) and sex in the intention-to-treat population using Cox regression models. RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 63.0±9.2 years, and 34% were female. Older age and female sex were independently associated with a lower risk of the composite of adverse kidney outcomes. There was no evidence that the effect of canagliflozin on the primary outcome (a composite of kidney failure, a doubling of serum creatinine concentration, or death from kidney or cardiovascular causes) differed between age groups (HRs, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.52-0.87], 0.63 [0.48-0.82], and 0.89 [0.61-1.29] for ages<60, 60-69, and≥70 years, respectively; P=0.3for interaction) or sexes (HRs, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.54-0.95] and 0.69 [0.56-0.84] in women and men, respectively; P=0.8for interaction). No differences in safety outcomes by age group or sex were observed. LIMITATIONS: This was a post hoc analysis with multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Canagliflozin consistently reduced the relative risk of kidney events in people with diabetic kidney disease in both sexes and across age subgroups. As a result of greater background risk, the absolute reduction in adverse kidney outcomes was greater in younger participants. FUNDING: This post hoc analysis of the CREDENCE trial was not funded. The CREDENCE study was sponsored by Janssen Research and Development and was conducted collaboratively by the sponsor, an academic-led steering committee, and an academic research organization, George Clinical. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The original CREDENCE trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT02065791.