Supported Research

Lay Abstract

Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) are at high risk of death from heart disease after transplantation, as well as graft failure, where the kidney transplant no longer works and dialysis or another kidney transplant is required.  New types of drugs called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA) have been developed as treatments for diabetes. These drugs have since been shown to lower blood pressure, weight and protein in the urine, and when used in combination, the beneficial effects are enhanced. These drugs also decrease the risk of heart attack, kidney failure or dying from heart or kidney disease. It is not known if these drugs have the same beneficial effects in KTR. The objective of this study is to determine if using combination therapy with SGLT2i and GLP1RA is better than either drug alone.  We are conducting a trial with 20 KTR where participants will be treated with GLP1RA or SGLT2i alone, followed by the combination of SGLT2i and GLP1RA. Participants will be treated for a total of 12 weeks. People with and without diabetes will be included.  We will compare differences on kidney function, heart function as well as metabolic risk factors (i.e., blood sugar, cholesterol and weight) with combination therapy versus SGLT2i or GLP1RA alone.  We will closely monitor side effects during the trial. This study will allow us to understand if combination therapy is safe and effective in protecting KTR from heart and kidney disease in the future.