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Fasting and postprandial kidney haemodynamic effects of empagliflozin and linagliptin in mono- and combination therapy compared to gliclazide in overweight people with type 2 diabetes (RACELINES): A randomised, double-blind trial

van Baar MJB, Muskiet MHA, Scholtes RA, Touw DJ, Nieuwdorp M, Kramer MHH, Joles JA, Cherney DZI et al.

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2025

61 participants · 4 citations

Abstract

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 2 inhibitors attenuate fasting glomerular hyperfiltration in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, SGLT2-inhibition increases glucagon levels, which facilitate postprandial hyperfiltration. The impact of SGLT2 inhibition on protein-related hyperfiltration and postprandial (intra) kidney haemodynamic function is unclear. Moreover, the interaction with dipeptidyl-peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors, known to reduce glucagon levels and to affect meal-related factors modulating GFR, is unknown.

Aims: We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin and linagliptin in mono- and combination therapy compared to the initiation and intensification of SU-derivative gliclazide treatment on fasting and postprandial kidney haemodynamic function.

Materials and methods: We compared three 16-week glucose-lowering strategies added to ongoing metformin monotherapy: (1) EMPA-LINA: 8-week empagliflozin 10 mg QD (EMPA0-8w) followed by the addition of 8-week linagliptin 5 mg QD (LINA8-16w); (2) LINA-EMPA: 8-week linagliptin (LINA0-8w) followed by the addition of 8-week empagliflozin (EMPA8-16w) versus (3) GLIC-GLIC: 8-week gliclazide 30 mg QD (GLIC0-8w) followed by the addition of 8-week gliclazide 30 mg (GLIC8-16w). We studied (intra) kidney haemodynamic interactions of this combination using iohexol and PAH clearance techniques to assess measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF).

Results: We studied n = 61…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 61 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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