Effect of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 48 randomized controlled trials

Previous studies have suggested additional beneficial effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors including the lipid-lowering effect; however, results on lipid profile are controversial. Thus, this meta analysis aimed to determine the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors treatment on lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on lipid parameters were searched in PubMed-MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and generic inverse variance method. Meta-analysis of 48 randomized controlled trials revealed that SGLT2 inhibitors therapy had a significant increase on total cholesterol (WMD: 0.09 mmol/L, 95 % CI: 0.05, 0.13, I-2 = 79 %, p < 0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (WMD: 0.10 mmol/L, 95 % CI: 0.07, 0.12, I-2 = 94 %, p < 0.00001), HDL-cholesterol (WMD: 0.06 mmol/L, 95 % CI: 0.05, 0.08, I-2 = 99 %, p < 0.00001), and non-HDL-cholesterol (WMD: 0.09 mmol/L, 95 % CI: 0.06, 0.12, I-2 = 96 %, p < 0.00001). Additionally, SGLT2 inhibitors administration showed a significant decrease in triglyceride levels (WMD:-0.10 mmol/L, 95 % CI:-0.13,-0.07, I-2 = 96 %, p < 0.00001). Finally, no significant alteration was found on LDL/HDL ratio after SGLT2 inhibitors treatment (WMD:-0.01 mmol/L, 95 % CI:-0.05, 0.03, I-2 = 99 %, p = 0.65). In conclusion, SGLT2 inhibitors significantly increase total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol, and decrease triglyceride levels.