Mechanism of SGLT2 Inhibition in the Kidney

Last updated: June 9, 2026
Sponsor: University of Michigan
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

4

Condition

Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Diabetes And Hypertension

Treatment

SGLT2 inhibitor

Clinical Study ID

NCT06291155
HUM00222335
  • Ages 18-80
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The goal of this open-label, non-randomized clinical trial is to determine what effects, if any, an FDA-approved drug class known as SGLT2 inhibitors (Canagliflozin or INVOKANA) has any protective effects on kidney function in Type 2 diabetes. We are looking for participants 18-80 years of age, who have had a clinical diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes for ≥ 3 years.

Participants will be asked to sign a consent and complete a screening visit prior to study entry including the following procedures for this study:

Consent and Screening:

  • Laboratory tests to determine baseline health

  • Ultrasound to measure kidney size and ensure presence of 2 functioning kidneys

Month 0:

  • Study entry kidney MRI (day 0)

  • Study entry kidney biopsy (within 30 days of MRI)

  • Study entry visit for dispensing 100 mg/daily Canagliflozin medication 3 month supply

Month 3:

  • Study visit to dispense remaining 3 months of 100 mg/daily Canagliflozin medication

  • Review of systems

Month 6:

  • Follow-up kidney MRI

  • Follow-up kidney biopsy

Study participants will also be requested to provide blood and urine samples for biobanking purposes. They will also be provided the opportunity to provide a stool sample at two time points, as well as the option to participate in a related study collecting samples to create induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs).

Participants will be compensated for their time and loss of work time, additionally, a nominal additional compensation for optional stool and iPSC samples.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 18-80 years.

  • The lower age limit was set so renal function test results would not reflectchanges associated with growth.

  • Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for ≥ 3 years.

  • Estimated GFR >45 and < 90 ml/min/1.73m2 as determined from the CKD-EPI equationusing serum creatinine (Levey et al., 2009)

  • A screening urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio <3000 mg/g.

  • Willingness to participate after receiving a thorough explanation of the study.

  • Participants receiving a RAAS inhibitor must have been receiving the drug at maximumtolerable dose for at least 3 months prior to the study baseline examination.

  • Participants receiving a GLP-1 receptor agonist must have been receiving the drugfor at least 3 months prior to the study baseline examination.

  • Participants must meet the current clinical guidelines for prescribing SGLT2inhibitors, to maintain FDA-approved standards

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Clinically significant disorders of the liver [cirrhosis, portal hypertension,hepatitis, increased bilirubin (≥1.5 mg/dl), active or uncontrolled cardiovasculardisease, symptomatic peripheral vascular disease, (i.e. intermittent claudication),pulmonary diseases (including uncontrolled asthma and restrictive or obstructivelung disease requiring therapy), renal-urinary disorders (calculi, urinary tractobstruction, glomerulonephritis, chronic infection), gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or anorexia sufficient to cause weight loss or wasting),or hematocrit levels ≤30 percent in women or ≤35 percent in men.

  • Prior and ongoing treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors

  • Renovascular or malignant hypertension; uncontrolled hypertension (systolic bloodpressure ≥150 or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg)

  • Hematuria of unknown etiology.

  • Prior to entry into the study, any participant with hematuria should beevaluated, the etiology established and documented, and treatment rendered asappropriate.

  • Chronic debilitating disorders with or without treatment (e.g., systemic lupuserythematosus [SLE], cancer, amyloidosis, and chronic infection) that wouldinterfere with the assessment of kidney function or that might reduce the chances ofsurvival for a sufficient length of time to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.

  • Currently receiving a drug regimen that includes steroids, immunosuppressants, orinvestigational new drugs not associated with this trial.

  • Pregnancy.

  • SGLT2 inhibitors are not recommended during the second or third trimester ofpregnancy. Moreover, we do not wish to expose pregnant women to conscioussedation that is used during the kidney biopsies.. Women of childbearingpotential must have a negative pregnancy test prior to entry and every 2 monthsduring the study and agree to using an effective form of contraceptionthroughout the study, such as the oral contraceptive pill or an intrauterinedevice. Women who are planning a pregnancy in the next three years will beexcluded.

  • Known hypersensitivity to canagliflozin or iodine.

  • Bleeding disorders or requirements for anticoagulation or platelet inhibitors whichcannot be safely interrupted since kidney biopsies cannot be performed safely inthese individuals.

  • Massive obesity with body mass index ≥45 kg/m².

  • Kidney biopsies are more technically difficult with massive obesity.

  • Allergy to iodine-containing contrast material or shellfish.

  • Non-diabetic kidney disease - based on clinical history or kidney biopsyexamination.

  • History of osteoporotic fracture.

  • History of lower-limb amputation irrespective of etiology

  • Conditions likely to interfere with informed consent or compliance with theprotocol.

  • Known solitary kidney

  • Size of one or both kidneys on ultrasound < 9 cm (small kidney size is concerningfor renal atrophy due to underlying kidney disease) or > 2 cm discrepancy betweenleft and right kidney sizes based on largest longitudinal diameter

  • Current use of UGT enzyme inducters, lithium, and digoxin

  • Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) > 80 gm/dL

  • INR > 1.4 (a)

  • PTT > 35 seconds (a)

  • Platelet count < 100,000 uL (a)

  • Hemoglobin (Hgb) < 10 mg/dL (a)

  • Hydronephrosis or other important renal ultrasound findings such as significantstone disease

  1. Inclusion possible after this has been obtained within range

Study Design

Total Participants: 20
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: SGLT2 inhibitor
Phase: 4
Study Start date:
January 01, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
February 28, 2028

Study Description

The purpose of this protocol is to examine the effects of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor canagliflozin on intrarenal transcripts of energy metabolism in adults with type 2 diabetes and early diabetic kidney disease (DKD) via an open-label non-randomized mechanistic trial. This trial will enroll 40 participants who will receive 100 mg of canagliflozin daily for six (6) months in addition to standard of care. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether canagliflozin affects intrarenal transcripts of energy metabolism in adults with type 2 diabetes and early DKD.

The primary outcomes measure will be change in transcripts as assessed by single-cell RNA sequencing of kidney biopsy specimens obtained at study entry and after 6 months of study drug. Secondary outcomes include assessing the effects of canagliflozin on structural progression of DKD assessed by morphometric examination of kidney tissue specimens from the paired research biopsies. Additional secondary outcomes include measures of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) as well as multiparametric kidney MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging of the kidneys will be performed prior to each biopsy to correlate the molecular and structural damage seen at kidney biopsy with the level of perfusion, oxygen availability and fibrosis detected by imaging. Imaging of the kidneys will be done as near to the time of each kidney biopsy as possible. Participants will be followed annually after completion of the mechanistic clinical trial until death or development of end-stage kidney disease.

Participants will be followed for potential adverse events for an additional two months post six-month biopsy.

Connect with a study center

  • University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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