Scientists at the University of Hong Kong have found that a new kind of diabetes medicine may do more than just lower blood sugar.
These drugs are called SGLT2 inhibitors, and they seem to offer extra protection for the kidneys and lungs of people with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term illness that affects how the body handles sugar. It’s very common around the world and can lead to serious problems like heart disease, kidney failure, and infections.
In recent years, SGLT2 inhibitors have become a newer option for treatment. These drugs not only help lower blood sugar but also protect the heart and kidneys. Now, this new study suggests they may also help protect the lungs.
Researchers looked at health records from more than 30,000 people with type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong. They compared those taking SGLT2 inhibitors with people taking an older type of diabetes medicine called DPP4 inhibitors.
They found people taking SGLT2 inhibitors had a lower risk of getting serious kidney problems, including end-stage kidney disease.
This is when the kidneys stop working and a person may need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. The study adds to previous research showing that these drugs can slow down kidney damage.
The researchers also noticed something new—people on SGLT2 inhibitors were less likely to get certain lung problems, including obstructive airway disease and pneumonia.
Even though the results are promising, the scientists say more research is needed. They suggest running clinical trials to confirm whether SGLT2 inhibitors really protect the lungs in addition to the kidneys and heart.
If future studies support these findings, SGLT2 inhibitors could become a more powerful choice for people with type 2 diabetes. These drugs might not only help control blood sugar but also prevent damage to several important organs.
The study was led by Dr. Cheung Ching-lung and published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism and JAMA Network Open. It supports the growing view that SGLT2 inhibitors may be one of the best second-line treatment options for diabetes, especially when blood sugar is not well controlled with the first medicine.
This is important news for millions of people living with diabetes. It shows how medicine can do more than treat just one problem—it can also help prevent other serious complications.
Doctors encourage people with type 2 diabetes to talk to their healthcare team to find the best treatment plan. Along with taking the right medicine, eating healthy food, staying active, and avoiding smoking are still important steps to manage diabetes and protect your health.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.
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