Beyond glycemic control: differential effects of empagliflozin and sitagliptin on insulin sensitivity and a shared increase in adropin in type 2 diabetes
A diabetes drug reduces insulin resistance and blood sugar more effectively than an alternative, supporting its established heart-protective benefits beyond glucose control.
In a 12-week RCT (n=94) of empagliflozin vs sitagliptin added to metformin in T2DM, both drugs increased adropin but empagliflozin demonstrated superior insulin resistance reduction (HOMA-IR) and HbA1c reduction vs sitagliptin. The superior metabolic effects of SGLT2 inhibition beyond glycemic control are consistent with its established cardiometabolic benefit profile.
What the study was
- Study design
- Single-center open-label randomized controlled trial
- Population
- Adults with T2DM (HbA1c ≥7.5%) receiving stable metformin; n=100 (94 completed)
- Sample size
- 94
- Category
- Treatment Innovation
- Maturity
- Exploratory
- Journal
- BMC Endocrine Disorders
Why it surfaced
RCT design is a strength; however small (n=94), single-center, and adropin is a novel but not well-validated hepatokine endpoint. Findings confirm SGLT2i superiority for HOMA-IR vs DPP4i. Scored 6.
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