Effects of Dapagliflozin in Non-diabetic Patients With Proteinuria

Despite optimal treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) inhibitors, many patients with non-diabetic kidney disease show progressive kidney function loss, which is associated with high residual proteinuria. Novel treatment strategies are therefore required to further decrease proteinuria and to slow kidney function decline. Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose transport (SGLT2) inhibitor and inhibits the reabsorption of glucose and sodium in the proximal tubule. The increased natriuresis following dapagliflozin administration normalizes tubuloglomerular feedback resulting in a reduction in intra-glomerular hypertension, which is in turn manifested by acute reversible reductions in glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria. Since many etiologies of non-diabetic nephropathy are characterized by intraglomerular hypertension, we hypothesize that dapagliflozin acutely decreases GFR and proteinuria in patients without diabetes at risk of progressive kidney function loss via a glucose independent hemodynamic mechanism.