Metabolic and Lipoprotein Changes in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Treated with Empagliflozin
Background/Objectives: This study evaluated the metabolic effects of empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), in type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: In an observational cohort study, 42 patients received empagliflozin for 1 month, with serum and urine analyzed for IL-6, NT-proBNP, iron metabolism markers, and electrolytes. Another group was treated for 3 months, assessing lipoprotein and glycoprotein profiles, IL-6, and NT-proBNP. Results: Empagliflozin increased serum magnesium (mean difference = 0.26 ± 0.38 mg/dL, p < 0.0001), hemoglobin (mean difference = 0.45 ± 0.78 g/dL, p = 0.0005), and hematocrit (mean difference = 1.74 ± 2.08%, p < 0.0001), while decreasing ferritin (mean difference = −29.23 ± 51.97 ng/mL) and transferrin saturation (mean difference = −3.65 ± 7.22%). NT-proBNP and IL-6 levels trended lower (non-significant). Lipoprotein profiling showed a neutral effect. Conclusions: Empagliflozin positively affected serum magnesium, iron metabolism, and inflammatory markers without altering lipoprotein profiles. Further research is needed to elucidate SGLT2i’s molecular mechanisms underlying their pleiotropic–cardioprotective effects.
Authors
- Dionysios V. Chartoumpekis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6139-6067)
- Anastasia Parthymou
- Georgios Κ. Markantes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1519-3776)
- George I. Habeos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1232-3192)
- Marios Papasotiriou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9375-989X)
- Konstantinos Dimitropoulos
- Markos Marangos
- Evagelia E. Habeos
Institutions
- University of Patras (GR)
- General University Hospital of Patras (GR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biomedicines
- Published
- 2026-09-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14092016
- Primary Topic
- Diabetes Treatment and Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00