Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors beyond glycemic control - Their role in acute kidney injury recovery - Mini-review

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa

With notable renal protective advantages beyond glycemic management, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have become a cornerstone for type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD). While their role in CKD has been extensively explored, emerging evidence suggests protective effects in acute kidney injury (AKI), for which few pharmacologic options exist. This mini-review examines mechanisms including mitochondrial protection, oxidative stress attenuation, anti-inflammatory effects, reduced intraglomerular pressure, and modulation of tubuloglomerular feedback.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

SGLT2 inhibitors beyond glycemic control

Burden and impact of acute kidney injury (AKI)

Rationale for exploring SGLT2 inhibitors in AKI recovery

| W | J | N | World Journal of
Nephrology | | --- | --- | --- | --- | Submit a Manuscript: [https://www.f6publishing.com](https://www.f6publishing.com) World J Nephrol 2025 December 25; 14(4): 112302 DOI: 10.5527/wjn.v14.i4.112302 ISSN 2220-6124 (online) MINIREVIEWS Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors beyond glycemic control: Their role in acute kidney injury recovery Muhammad Umar Ahsan, Sana Iftikhar, Umme E Ambreen, Fahad Nazir, Matia Fawad, Khadija Nasir, Ume Roman Leghari Specialty type: Urology and nephrology Provenance and peer review: Invited article; Externally peer reviewed. Peer-review model: Single blind Peer-review report’s classification Scientific Quality: Grade B Novelty: Grade B Creativity or Innovation: Grade C Scientific Significance: Grade B P-Reviewer: Guo R, Associate Professor, China Received: July 23, 2025 Revised: August 15, 2025 Accepted: December 8, 2025 Published online: December 25, 2025 Processing time: 153 Days and 17.9 Hours Muhammad Umar Ahsan, Khadija Nasir, Ume Roman Leghari, Department of Medicine, D.G.Khan Medical College, Dera Ghazi Khan 32200, Punjab, Pakistan Sana Iftikhar, Department of Medicine, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Lahore 05450, Punjab, Pakistan Umme E Ambreen, Fahad Nazir, Department of Medicine, CMH Institute of Medical Sciences, Bahawalpur 63100, Punjab, Pakistan Matia Fawad, Department of Medicine, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah 67450, Pakistan Co-first authors: Muhammad Umar Ahsan and Sana Iftikhar. Corresponding author: Muhammad Umar Ahsan, Researcher, Department of Medicine, D.G.Khan Medical College, College Chowk, Dera Ghazi Khan 32200, Punjab, Pakistan. [umarahsan219@gmail.com](umarahsan219@gmail.com) Abstract With notable Reno protective advantages beyond glycemic management, sodiumglucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have become a mainstay treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD) . Although SGLT2 inhibitors' involvement in the course of CKD has been well investigated, new research indicates that they may also have protective benefits in acute kidney injury (AKI), a condition for which there are few pharmacological treatments. The possible ways that SGLT2 inhibitors aid in AKI recovery are examined in this mini-review. These include mitochondrial protection, oxidative stress attenuation, anti-inflammatory effects, intraglomerular pressure decrease, and modulation of tubuloglomerular feedback. Although there is a lack of solid clinical trial data, preclinical models and observational studies suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may lessen ischemia-reperfusion injury and contrast-induced nephropathy. This review addresses the possibility of incorporating SGLT2 inhibitors into AKI care regimens, critically evaluates the available data, and highlights important research gaps. Robust clinical trials are required to determine the safety, effectiveness, and ideal treatment window of SGLT2 inhibitors in this context, given the burden of AKI-related morbidity and mortality. WJN [https://www.wjgnet.com](https://www.wjgnet.com) 1 December 25, 2025 Volume 14 Issue 4 Ahsan MU et al. SGLT2 inhibitors in AKI recovery Key Words: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors; Acute kidney injury; Renal protection; Ischemia-reperfusion; Oxidative stress; Tubuloglomerular feedback ©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved. Core Tip: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, traditionally used for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes, show emerging promise in acute kidney injury (AKI) recovery through mechanisms such as oxidative stress reduction, antiinflammatory effects, improved mitochondrial function, and hemodynamic modulation. Although encouraging data from preclinical and observational studies exist, robust randomized controlled trials are lacking. Th

FAQs

What problem does this mini-review focus on?

It focuses on whether sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can aid acute kidney injury (AKI) recovery, given the limited pharmacological options for AKI.

Which mechanisms are proposed for SGLT2 inhibitors in AKI recovery?

The review examines mitochondrial protection, oxidative stress reduction, anti-inflammatory effects, decreased intraglomerular pressure, and modulation of tubuloglomerular feedback.

What evidence base is used, and what is the main limitation?

The discussion relies on preclinical models and observational studies, while solid clinical trial data are limited, with robust randomized controlled trials still lacking.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa