Diabetic nephropathy is currently the leading cause of chronic end-stage renal disease. Its prevention is essential and implies a multidisciplinary management of the diabetic patient, as based on a strict control of blood glucose levels from the onset of diabetes, control of blood pressure, with a privileged place for either ACE inhibitors or sartans whose anti-proteinuric effect has been well demonstrated, and control of other cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, chronic kidney disease significantly increases the cardiovascular risk of diabetic patients. Recent randomized clinical trials involving the new classes of anti-diabetic agents (DPP4-inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2-inhibitors) have demonstrated the cardiovascular protection ensured by several molecules (empaglifozin, canaglifozin, dapaglifozin, liraglutide, semaglutide, albiglutide, and dulaglutide), along with an additional nephroprotective effect shown for gliflozins, liraglutide, and semaglutide.
Key Words
Diabetic nephropathy, gliflozin, nephroprotection