SGLT2 Inhibition Increases Fasting Glucagon but Does Not Restore the Counterregulatory Hormone Response to Hypoglycemia in Participants With Type 1 Diabetes

Individuals with type 1 diabetes have an impaired glucagon counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia. Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors increase glucagon concentrations. We evaluated whether SGLT inhibition restores the glucagon counterregulatory hormone response to hypoglycemia. Adults with type 1 diabetes (n = 22) were treated with the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin (5 mg daily) or placebo for 4 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. After each treatment phase, participants underwent a hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamp. Basal glucagon concentrations were 32% higher following dapagliflozin versus placebo, with a median within-participant difference of 2.75 pg/mL (95% CI 1.38-12.6). However, increased basal glucagon levels did not correlate with decreased rates of hypoglycemia and thus do not appear to be protective in avoiding hypoglycemia. During hypoglycemic clamp, SGLT2 inhibition did not change counterregulatory hormone concentrations, time to recovery from hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia symptoms, or cognitive function. Thus, despite raising basal glucagon concentrations, SGLT inhibitor treatment did not restore the impaired glucagon response to hypoglycemia. We propose that clinical reduction in hypoglycemia associated with these agents is a result of changes in diabetes care (e.g., lower insulin doses or improved glycemic variability) as opposed to a direct, physiologic effect of these medications on alpha-cell function.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on the glucagon response to hypoglycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The results showed that although SGLT2 inhibitors increased basal glucagon concentrations, they did not restore the impaired glucagon response to hypoglycemia. Therefore, the reduction in hypoglycemia associated with SGLT2 inhibitors may be a result of changes in diabetes care rather than a direct physiological effect on alpha-cell function.