The impact of increased hepatic glucose production caused by empagliflozin on plasma glucose concentration in individuals with type 2 diabetes and nondiabetic individuals

Abstract Aim To examine the impact of increased hepatic glucose production (HGP) on the decrease in plasma glucose concentration caused by empagliflozin in individuals living with diabetes and in nondiabetic individuals. Methods A total of 36 individuals living with diabetes and 34 nondiabetic individuals were randomized to receive, in double‐blind fashion, empagliflozin or matching placebo in a 2:1 treatment ratio. Following an overnight fast, HGP was measured with 3‐ 3 H‐glucose infusion before, at the start of, and 3 months after therapy with empagliflozin. Results On Day 1 of empagliflozin administration, the increase in urinary glucose excretion (UGE) in individuals with normal glucose tolerance was smaller than in those with impaired glucose tolerance and those living with diabetes, and was accompanied by an increase in HGP in all three groups. The amount of glucose returned to the systemic circulation as a result of the increase in HGP was smaller than that excreted by the kidney during the first 3 h after empagliflozin administration, resulting in a decrease in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration. After 3 h, the increase in HGP was in excess of UGE, leading to a small increase in plasma glucose concentration, which reached a new steady state. After 12 weeks, the amount of glucose returned to the circulation due to the empagliflozin‐induced increase in HGP was comparable with that excreted by the kidney in all three groups. Conclusion The balance between UGE and increase in HGP immediately after sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibition determined the magnitude of decrease in FPG and the new steady state which was achieved. After 12 weeks, the increase in HGP caused by empagliflozin closely matched the amount of glucose excreted by the kidneys; thus, FPG level remained stable despite the continuous urinary excretion of glucose caused by SGLT2 inhibition.