We have previously shown a strong relation between high serum uric acid and pulse wave velocity (PWV) as expression of arterial stiffness. This relation was even stronger than with blood pressure. In addition to its hypoglycemic effect, sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) may reduce serum uric acid (SUA) by a uricosuric effect.
Aims: to evaluate in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension and normal renal function the effect of canagliflozin on SUA and carotid femoral PWV.
Methods: 20 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) 10 females, 59±4y received metformin 2000mg, canagliflozin 100-300mg and amlodipine 10mg daily during 6 months. Laboratory parameters including HbA1C, fasting blood glucose level, glomerular filtration rate, SUA, 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and PWV were determined at baseline and after a 6-month treatment course with canagliflozin 100-300mg.
Results: After 6 months of treatment, PWV dropped from 12±3 to 8.5±4 m/sec, p<0.05, HbA1C decreased from 8.1% to 7.0%, p<0.05, SUA decreased from 7.9mg%±1 to 6.7±2%, p<0.and 24h ABPM decreased from 154±6/96±5mmHg to 141±3/86±4mmHg, p<0.05.
Conclusions: Canagliflozin ameliorates arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 DM and hypertension. This effect seems to be related, among other mechanisms, such as blood pressure drop and plasma volume contraction to the reduction in serum uric acid level. Since SUA has been shown to predict the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertension and DM, lowering serum uric acid by SGLT2i might be contributing to cardiovascular protection.
R.A. Sanchez: None. M.J. Sanchez: None. A.J. Ramirez: None.