The major molecular mechanisms mediating the renoprotective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors: An update

Abstract The incidence of diabetes mellitus, as well as its complications, is rapidly growing. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most prevalent disorders induced by chronic uncontrolled hyperglycemia and is accompanied by a reduction in renal sufficiency with microstructural tissue damage in the kidneys. Many therapeutic protocols have been designed to address the treatment and prevention of diabetic nephropathy. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a newly introduced class of glucose-lowering agents that reduce blood glucose by inhibition of urinary glucose reabsorption in renal proximal tubules and so induce glycosuria. Also, these hypoglycemic agents may provide protective effects in different tissues such as cardiovascular, brain, and kidneys. In recent years, accumulating evidence has indicated that SGLT2i possess potent renal protective properties in the setting of diabetes. In the current study, we present the latest findings regarding the renoprotective effects of SGLT2 inhibition and discuss the molecular mechanisms involved

Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Obesity: Role of Mineralocorticoid Receptor

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) acts as an essential regulator of blood pressure, volume status, and electrolyte balance. However, in recent decades, a growing body of evidence has suggested that MR may also have a role in mediating pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidative, and pro-fibrotic changes in several target organs, including the adipose tissue. The finding that MR is overexpressed in the adipose tissue of patients with obesity has led to the hypothesis that this receptor can contribute to adipokine dysregulation and low-grade chronic inflammation, alterations that are linked to the development of obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Moreover, several studies in animal models have investigated the role of MR antagonists (MRAs) in preventing the metabolic alterations observed in obesity. In the present review we will focus on the potential mechanisms by which MR activation can contribute to adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity and on the possible beneficial effects of MRAs in this setting