Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor‐induced changes in body composition and simultaneous changes in metabolic profile: 52‐week prospective LIGHT (Luseogliflozin: the Components of Weight Loss in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) Study

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: It is unclear how changes in body composition induced by sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor treatment correlate with metabolic profile changes. We aimed to clarify how metabolic profile changes correlate with body component changes, and if SGLT2 inhibitor treatment causes sarcopenia and bone mineral content (BMC) loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Moderately obese Japanese type 2 diabetes patients, treated with luseogliflozin for a year, were observed prospectively and evaluated for body composition changes. We analyzed the changes in the individual body components during treatment, and their correlation with other clinical variables. RESULTS: The efficacy analysis set comprised 37 of 43 enrolled patients. The total fat mass significantly decreased early in the treatment at and after week 4, with a mean decrease of −1.97 kg (95% confidence interval −2.66 to −1.28) at week 24. The visceral fat area at week 24 showed an average downward trend, although this was not significant. The changes in visceral fat area in individual patients showed a significant negative correlation with the extent of the baseline visceral fat area (r = −0.399, P = 0.023). The skeletal muscle mass index showed a significant but small change at and after week 36. The BMC profile showed a transient significant decrease only at week 12. No significant change in BMC was noted at other time‐points. CONCLUSIONS: Luseogliflozin treatment brought about favorable changes in body composition and metabolism of moderately obese Japanese type 2 diabetes patients, accompanied by body fat reduction, and minimal muscle and BMC reduction.