Sodium/glucose cotransporter 2

SGLT2 is a member of the sodium glucose cotransporter family, which are sodium-dependent glucose transport proteins. SGLT2 is the major cotransporter involved in glucose reabsorption in the kidney.^[6] SGLT2 is located in the early proximal tubule, and is responsible for reabsorption of 80–90% of the glucose filtered by the kidney glomerulus.^[7] Most of the remaining glucose absorption is by sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) in more distal sections of the proximal tubule.^[8]

SGLT2 inhibitors are also called gliflozins or flozins. They lead to a reduction in blood glucose levels, and therefore have potential use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Gliflozins enhance glycemic control as well as reduce body weight and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.^[9] The gliflozins canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin may lead to euglycemic ketoacidosis.^[10][11] Other side effects of gliflozins include increased risk of Fournier gangrene^[12] and of (generally mild) genital infections such as candidal vulvovaginitis.^[13]

Mutations in this gene are also associated with renal glycosuria.^[14]

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were associated with significant long-term reductions in mortality risk for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), according to an observational cohort study.^[15] The study revealed that after one year, 8.1% of PAH patients prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors had died, compared to 15.5% of those who did not take the medication.

• SGLT Family
• Discovery and development of gliflozins
• Phlorizin – a competitive inhibitor of SGLT1 and SGLT2