12 research outputs found
Development and potential role of type-2 sodium-glucose transporter inhibitors for management of type 2 diabetes
There is a recognized need for new treatment options for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recovery of glucose from the glomerular filtrate represents an important mechanism in maintaining glucose homeostasis and represents a novel target for the management of T2DM. Recovery of glucose from the glomerular filtrate is executed principally by the type 2 sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT2). Inhibition of SGLT2 promotes glucose excretion and normalizes glycemia in animal models. First reports of specifically designed SGLT2 inhibitors began to appear in the second half of the 1990s. Several candidate SGLT2 inhibitors are currently under development, with four in the later stages of clinical testing. The safety profile of SGLT2 inhibitors is expected to be good, as their target is a highly specific membrane transporter expressed almost exclusively within the renal tubules. One safety concern is that of glycosuria, which could predispose patients to increased urinary tract infections. So far the reported safety profile of SGLT2 inhibitors in clinical studies appears to confirm that the class is well tolerated. Where SGLT2 inhibitors will fit in the current cascade of treatments for T2DM has yet to be established. The expected favorable safety profile and insulin-independent mechanism of action appear to support their use in combination with other antidiabetic drugs. Promotion of glucose excretion introduces the opportunity to clear calories (80â90 g [300â400 calories] of glucose per day) in patients that are generally overweight, and is expected to work synergistically with weight reduction programs. Experience will most likely lead to better understanding of which patients are likely to respond best to SGLT2 inhibitors, and under what circumstances
Should we get up in the morning? Observations on circadian variations in cardiac events.
Dobutamine echocardiography and thallium-201 imaging predict functional improvement after revascularisation in severe ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction.
Pharmacologic management of patients with both heart failure and diabetes
Diabetes and heart failure often occur together in patients, with each condition influencing the treatment of the other. Each disease has its own well-documented impact on prognosis, but when they are present in the same patient, the risk of morbidity and mortality increases substantially. Some therapies used in the treatment of diabetes are contraindicated in patients with heart failure, and some therapies for treating heart failure are often mistakenly believed to be contraindicated in patients with diabetes. This article aims to clarify the evidence behind treating these conditions simultaneously and dispel the myths surrounding the pharmacologic management of diabetes in heart failure and vice vers