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Effects of the sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 ( SGLT 2) inhibitor velagliflozin, a new drug with therapeutic potential to treat diabetes in cats
Author(s) -
Hoenig M.,
Clark M.,
Schaeffer D. J.,
Reiche D.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.527
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-2885
pISSN - 0140-7783
DOI - 10.1111/jvp.12467
Subject(s) - nefa , medicine , endocrinology , renal glucose reabsorption , insulin , adiponectin , glucagon , glycosuria , diabetes mellitus , excretion , chemistry , insulin resistance , type 2 diabetes
Sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 ( SGLT 2) inhibitors are used in the treatment of human diabetics. They increase glucose excretion and correct hyperglycemia. We examined the investigational SGLT 2 inhibitor velagliflozin in two groups of six neutered adult obese cats (equal gender distribution). Placebo (Pl) or drug (D; 1 mg/kg) was administered for 35 days. Routine blood examinations, fructosamine, beta‐hydroxybutyrate ( BHB ), nonesterified fatty acids ( NEFA ), glucagon, adiponectin, and leptin were measured before and after treatment, also water intake, and urinary electrolytes, glucose, and volume. Indirect calorimetry, an intravenous glucose tolerance test ( IVGTT ; 0.8 g/kg) and insulin tolerance test ( IVITT ) were conducted. All cats tolerated treatment well. Significant changes with D included a decrease in the respiratory exchange ratio, an increase in cholesterol, a small increase in albumin, and a rise in BHB and NEFA . Glucose clearance was unaltered, although less insulin was secreted during the IVGTT ( p = .056) suggesting improved insulin sensitivity. IVITT was unchanged. Treatment did not affect glucagon, leptin, or adiponectin. Water intake, urine output, urinary glucose excretion, and the glucose/creatinine ratio but not urinary electrolytes were significantly higher post‐D. We conclude that velagliflozin is a promising drug, which increases urinary glucose excretion in cats and could thereby be beneficial for the treatment of hyperglycemia.