Effects of the SGLT2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin on Energy Metabolism in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind Crossover Trial

Diabetes Care. 2021 Jun;44(6):1334-1343. doi: 10.2337/dc20-2887. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Abstract

Objective: SGTL2 inhibitors increase urinary glucose excretion and have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and renal outcomes. The underlying mechanism may involve caloric restriction-like metabolic effects due to urinary glucose loss. We investigated the effects of dapagliflozin on 24-h energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods: There were 26 patients with type 2 diabetes randomized to a 5-week double-blind, crossover study with a 6- to 8-week washout. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure 24-h energy metabolism and the respiratory exchange ratio (RER), both by whole-room calorimetry and by ventilated hood during a two-step euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Results are presented as the differences in least squares mean (95% CI) between treatments.

Results: Evaluable patients (n = 24) had a mean (SD) age of 64.2 (4.6) years, BMI of 28.1 (2.4) kg/m2, and HbA1c of 6.9% (0.7) (51.7 [6.8] mmol/mol). Rate of glucose disappearance was unaffected by dapagliflozin, whereas fasting endogenous glucose production (EGP) increased by dapagliflozin (+2.27 [1.39, 3.14] μmol/kg/min, P < 0.0001). Insulin-induced suppression of EGP (-1.71 [-2.75, -0.63] μmol/kg/min, P = 0.0036) and plasma free fatty acids (-21.93% [-39.31, -4.54], P = 0.016) was greater with dapagliflozin. Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure (-0.11 [-0.24, 0.03] MJ/day) remained unaffected by dapagliflozin, but dapagliflozin reduced the RER during daytime and nighttime, resulting in an increased day-to-nighttime difference in the RER (-0.010 [-0.017, -0.002], P = 0.016). Dapagliflozin treatment resulted in a negative 24-h energy and fat balance (-20.51 [-27.90, -13.12] g/day).

Conclusions: Dapagliflozin treatment for 5 weeks resulted in major adjustments of metabolism mimicking caloric restriction, increased fat oxidation, improved hepatic and adipose insulin sensitivity, and improved 24-h energy metabolism.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03338855.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Blood Glucose
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Glucosides
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Middle Aged
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Blood Glucose
  • Glucosides
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
  • dapagliflozin

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03338855
  • figshare/10.2337/figshare.14058038