{"title":"SGLT2 Inhibitors and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Diabetic Kidney Disease: Evolving Evidence and Clinical Application.","authors":"Jae Hyun Bae","doi":"10.4093/dmj.2025.0220","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease and significantly increases cardiovascular risk and mortality. Despite conventional therapies, including renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, substantial residual risk remains. The emergence of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has reshaped DKD management. Beyond glycemic control, these agents provide distinct and complementary cardiorenal benefits through mechanisms such as hemodynamic modulation, anti-inflammatory effects, and metabolic adaptations. Landmark trials, including CREDENCE, DAPA-CKD, EMPA-KIDNEY, and FLOW, have demonstrated their efficacy in preserving kidney function and reducing adverse outcomes. SGLT2 inhibitors appear more effective in mitigating glomerular hyperfiltration and lowering heart failure risk, whereas GLP-1 receptor agonists are particularly beneficial in reducing albuminuria and atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Although indirect comparisons suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may offer greater protection against kidney function decline, direct head-to-head trials are lacking. Combination therapy holds promise, however further studies are needed to define optimal treatment strategies. This review synthesizes current evidence, evaluates comparative effectiveness, and outlines future directions in DKD management, emphasizing precision medicine approaches to enhance clinical outcomes. The integration of these therapies represents a paradigm shift in diabetes care, expanding treatment options for people with diabetes mellitus at risk of kidney failure.</p>","PeriodicalId":11153,"journal":{"name":"Diabetes & Metabolism Journal","volume":"49 3","pages":"386-402"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12086580/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Diabetes & Metabolism Journal","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2025.0220","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease and significantly increases cardiovascular risk and mortality. Despite conventional therapies, including renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, substantial residual risk remains. The emergence of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has reshaped DKD management. Beyond glycemic control, these agents provide distinct and complementary cardiorenal benefits through mechanisms such as hemodynamic modulation, anti-inflammatory effects, and metabolic adaptations. Landmark trials, including CREDENCE, DAPA-CKD, EMPA-KIDNEY, and FLOW, have demonstrated their efficacy in preserving kidney function and reducing adverse outcomes. SGLT2 inhibitors appear more effective in mitigating glomerular hyperfiltration and lowering heart failure risk, whereas GLP-1 receptor agonists are particularly beneficial in reducing albuminuria and atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Although indirect comparisons suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may offer greater protection against kidney function decline, direct head-to-head trials are lacking. Combination therapy holds promise, however further studies are needed to define optimal treatment strategies. This review synthesizes current evidence, evaluates comparative effectiveness, and outlines future directions in DKD management, emphasizing precision medicine approaches to enhance clinical outcomes. The integration of these therapies represents a paradigm shift in diabetes care, expanding treatment options for people with diabetes mellitus at risk of kidney failure.
期刊介绍:
The aims of the Diabetes & Metabolism Journal are to contribute to the cure of and education about diabetes mellitus, and the advancement of diabetology through the sharing of scientific information on the latest developments in diabetology among members of the Korean Diabetes Association and other international societies.
The Journal publishes articles on basic and clinical studies, focusing on areas such as metabolism, epidemiology, pathogenesis, complications, and treatments relevant to diabetes mellitus. It also publishes articles covering obesity and cardiovascular disease. Articles on translational research and timely issues including ubiquitous care or new technology in the management of diabetes and metabolic disorders are welcome. In addition, genome research, meta-analysis, and randomized controlled studies are welcome for publication.
The editorial board invites articles from international research or clinical study groups. Publication is determined by the editors and peer reviewers, who are experts in their specific fields of diabetology.