The Na/K-ATPase Signaling and SGLT2 Inhibitor-Mediated Cardiorenal Protection: A Crossed Road?

In different large-scale clinic outcome trials, sodium (Na+)/glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors showed profound cardiac- and renal-protective effects, making them revolutionary treatments for heart failure and kidney disease. Different theories are proposed according to the emerging protective effects other than the original purpose of glucose-lowering in diabetic patients. As the ATP-dependent primary ion transporter providing the Na+ gradient to drive other Na+-dependent transporters, the possible role of the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na/K-ATPase) as the primary ion transporter and its signaling function is not explored. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

SGLT2 inhibitors have shown significant cardiac and renal protective effects in the treatment of heart failure and kidney disease, potentially revolutionizing treatment approaches. Various theories have been proposed to explain the protective effects beyond glucose-lowering. The role of Na/K-ATPase as the primary ion transporter and its signaling function remains unexplored.