Clinical Study of Metabolic Parameters, Leptin and the SGLT2 Inhibitor Empagliflozin among Patients with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide, and it is associated with many diseases and abnormalities, most importantly, type 2 diabetes. The visceral adipose tissue produces an immense variety of adipokines. Leptin is the first identified adipokine which plays a crucial role in the regulation of food intake and metabolism. Sodium glucose co-transport 2 inhibitors are potent antihyperglycemic drugs with various beneficial systemic effects. We aimed to investigate the metabolic state and leptin level among patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the effect of empagliflozin upon these parameters. We recruited 102 patients into our clinical study, then we performed anthropometric, laboratory, and immunoassay tests. Body mass index, body fat, visceral fat, urea nitrogen, creatinine, and leptin levels were significantly lower in the empagliflozin treated group when compared to obese and diabetic patients receiving conventional antidiabetic treatments. Interestingly, leptin was increased not only among obese patients but in type 2 diabetic patients as well. Body mass index, body fat, and visceral fat percentages were lower, and renal function was preserved in patients receiving empagliflozin treatment. In addition to the known beneficial effects of empagliflozin regarding the cardio-metabolic and renal systems, it may also influence leptin resistance.