SGLT2-Inhibitors in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among East Asians-A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The burden of type 2 diabetes in East Asia is frightening. There have been dreadful changes in environmental, lifestyle, and dietary factors in East Asia during the past few decades which resulted in major lifestyle changes and an astounding increase in the prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. Although well‑established treatment modalities exist for type 2 diabetes mellitus management, they are limited by their side effect profile. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of glucose lowering agents developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. These drugs prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing sugar into the blood. Instead, the sugar is excreted in urine. Subsequent reduction of glucotoxicity improves beta-cell sensitivity to glucose and tissue insulin sensitivity.