Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 in mesangial cells and retinal pericytes and its implications for diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy.

Abstract

Retinopathy and nephropathy are life-threatening diabetic complications that decrease patient quality of life. Although the mechanisms underlying these conditions have been extensively studied, they remain unknown. Recent reports have demonstrated the presence of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in retinal pericytes and mesangial cells. Hyperglycemia results in functional and morphological changes in these cells, but these effects are attenuated by phlorizin, a nonselective SGLT inhibitor. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that SGLT2 plays a pivotal role in the development of diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy and that SGLT2 inhibitors may directly protect against these complications.

• Authors: Masarori Wakisaka, Tetsuhiko Nagao
• Journal: Glycobiology (Glycobiology) Vol. 27 Issue 8 Pg. 691-695 (Aug 01 2017) ISSN: 1460-2423 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28535208 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].