Sulfonylureas at the Glomerular Battlefield

The kidney is important in the context of diabetes not only because it is involved in normal glucose homeostasis, but also because it is one of the most important end organs to be involved in diabetes complications. Glomeruli are the meeting point of both microvascular, or renal; and macrovascular, or cardiovascular, health in diabetes. Sulfonylureas are effective glucose-lowering drugs. While a sulfonylurea-based glucose-lowering strategy is nephro-safe and nephro-protective, this aspect of sulfonylurea pharmaco-biology has not been highlighted earlier. In this editorial, we discuss current preclinical and clinical trial evidence regarding the performance of modern sulfonylureas at the glomerular battlefield.