This study will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin to placebo in 52 kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with or without pre-existing type 2 diabetes (T2D) or post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM). The primary outcome of the trial is to determine if dapagliflozin is superior to placebo in reduction of blood pressure in KTR.
Kidney transplantation is the renal replacement therapy of choice for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). It has been well established that kidney transplantation improves patient survival and quality of life, and results in significant savings to the health care system. Despite the survival benefit conferred by transplantation, KTR still face a number of challenges, especially in patients with diabetes. First, KTR still have a higher risk of mortality than their age-matched counterparts without kidney disease. This mortality risk is even greater amongst KTR with diabetes. Furthermore, mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be an important problem after transplantation. Another major challenge faced by KTR is the continuing risk of developing graft failure over time. Unfortunately, in the subgroup of KTR with diabetes, the incidence of graft failure is 50% higher than the general kidney transplant recipient population, and recurrent diabetic kidney disease (DKD) occurs in almost half of allografts after transplantation. Current strategies in the management of graft dysfunction and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are focused on optimizing immunosuppression and control of hypertension and dyslipidemia. Accordingly, there is an important unmet need for cardio- and renoprotective strategies to address premature death and graft loss in the KTR population. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are glucose lowering agents that are effective in the treatment of T2D, resulting not only in improved glycemic control, but also weight loss, blood pressure and albuminuria reduction. Several clinical trials have shown significant benefits of SGLT2i on cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Given the glucose-dependent and independent effects of SGLT2i, as well as the accumulating evidence demonstrating cardiorenal protection in non-KTR, the use of these agents in KTR is attractive - especially since traditional renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors are not effective. Moreover, the use of SGLT2i as a cardiorenal protective therapy may be of particular value in KTR given the high burden of comorbidities such as diabetes, CVD and hypertension, as well as the ongoing challenges of premature death and graft loss in this population. This study will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin to placebo in 52 KTR with or without pre-existing T2D or PTDM. The primary outcome of the trial is to determine if dapagliflozin is superior to placebo in reduction of blood pressure in KTR. The secondary outcomes of this study include metabolic, vascular, renal and transplant-specific measures. These outcomes have been included to elucidate the potential mechanisms responsible for blood pressure lowering, and putative cardio- and renoprotective effects in KTR. Safety outcomes will also be assessed.
Dapagliflozin will be administered in a dose of 10 mg/day for 12 weeks.
Placebo will be administered for 12 weeks.
Renal Physiology Laboratory
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Systolic blood pressure
SBP
Time frame: Change from baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 12 weeks of treatment
Fasting plasma glucose
Fasting plasma glucose
Time frame: Change from baseline fasting plasma glucose at 12 weeks of treatment
HbA1c
HbA1c
Time frame: Change from baseline HbA1c at 12 weeks of treatment
Continuous home glucose monitoring
Continuous home glucose monitoring
Time frame: Continuous glucose will be monitored for 14 days at 2 time intervals: 7 days prior to 7 days after drug administration (week -1 to1) and 7 days prior to 7 days after during drug discontinuation (week 11 to 13)
Arterial stiffness
Measured using a Sphygmocor device
Time frame: Change from baseline arterial stiffness at 12 weeks of treatment
Systemic vascular resistance
Measured using non-invasive cardiac output monitor (NICOM)
Time frame: Change from baseline systemic vascular resistance at 12 weeks of treatment
Glomerular Filtration Rate
GFR
Time frame: Change from baseline GFR (based on plasma iohexol clearance) at 12 weeks of treatment
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate
eGFR
Time frame: Change from baseline eGFR (based on CKD-EPI equation) at 12 weeks of treatment
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Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
52
Proximal tubular natriuresis
Measured by fractional excretion of sodium and 24-hour urine collection
Time frame: Change from baseline proximal tubular natriuresis at 12 weeks of treatment
Albuminuria
Albuminuria
Time frame: Change from baseline albuminuria at 12 weeks of treatment
Urinary and plasma concentration of oxidative stress markers
Measured using ELISA
Time frame: Change from baseline oxidative stress markers at 12 weeks of treatment
Tubulointerstitial hypoxia
Measured using a renal ultrasound (photoacoustic ultrasonography)
Time frame: Change from baseline tubulointerstitial hypoxia at 12 weeks of treatment
Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) Levels
CNI
Time frame: Change from baseline CNI at 12 weeks of treatment
Adverse Events (AEs)
AEs
Time frame: Adverse events will be recorded from baseline throughout the study duration up to 13 weeks