Short‐term effects of canagliflozin on glucose and insulin responses in insulin dysregulated horses: A randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, study

BACKGROUND: Decreasing hyperinsulinemia is crucial in preventing laminitis in insulin dysregulated (ID) horses. Complementary pharmacological treatments that efficiently decrease postprandial hyperinsulinemia in ID horses are needed. OBJECTIVES: Compare short‐term effects of canagliflozin vs placebo on glucose and insulin responses to an oral sugar test (OST) as well as the effects on body weight and triglyceride concentrations in horses with ID. ANIMALS: Sixteen privately‐owned ID horses. METHODS: A single‐center, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel design study. The horses were randomized (ratio 1:1) to either once daily PO treatment with 0.6 mg/kg canagliflozin or placebo. The study consisted of an initial 3‐day period for obtaining baseline data, a 3‐week double‐blind treatment period at home, and a 3‐day follow‐up period similar to the initial baseline period but with continued double‐blind treatment. Horses were subjected to an 8‐sample OST in the morning of the third day on both visits. RESULTS: Maximal geometric least square (LS) mean insulin concentration (95% confidence interval [CI]) during the OST decreased after 3 weeks of canagliflozin treatment compared with placebo (83.2; 55.4‐125.0 vs 215.2; 143.2‐323.2 μIU/mL). The geometric LS mean insulin response (insulin AUC(0‐180)) for canagliflozin‐treated horses was >66% lower compared with placebo. Least square mean body weight decreased by 11.1 (4‐18.1) kg and LS mean triglyceride concentrations increased by 0.99 (0.47‐1.5) mmol/L with canagliflozin treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Canagliflozin is a promising drug for treatment of ID horses that requires future studies.