Modulation of inflammation and cardioprotection in patients with type 2 diabetes: a clinical observation of the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors
Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2025, 61(4), 30-34.
N. Kostadinov1, Ts. Totomirova2
1 Burgas State University Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov – Burgas
2 Clinic of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, MMA – Sofia
Abstract. Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its associated cardiovascular complications. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a widely used marker of systemic inflammation and predictor of cardiovascular risk. The present observation aims to evaluate the change in hs-CRP levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus switched from metformin and/or SUP therapy to an SGLT2 inhibitor, in order to further elucidate the anti-inflammatory potential of this pharmacological class. A total of 57 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus meeting clearly defined inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed up in the study. After 6 months of treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors, a significant decrease in hsCRP values was observed, with a mean value of 2.11 ± 1.92 mg/l. The reduction in hs-CRP by a mean of 1.695 mg/l was statistically significant. The results of this analysis have the potential to contribute to a better understanding of the pleiotropic effects of SGLT2 inhibitors and support the hypothesis of a direct anti-inflammatory role, which could have clinical relevance in the context of cardiometabolic risk management in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Key words: SGLT2 inhibitors, diabetes mellitus type 2, hsCRP, low-grade inflammation, anti-inflammatory effect