Uncovering the role of ketogenesis in SGLT2 inhibitor-mediated fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease, the most common complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D), affects 1 in 5 Canadians. If not managed or treated, a proportion of patients with fatty liver disease may develop the irreversible phases of liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

A new class of drugs, SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), has been approved by Health Canada and has begun to be widely used to lower the blood glucose levels of T2D patients. Notably, clinical trials have shown that these drugs effectively improve fatty liver disease. These encouraging outcomes motivate many clinicians and scientists to investigate whether the therapeutic action of SGLT2i against fatty liver disease is caused by better glucose homeostasis or a direct action in the liver.

The goal of the proposed research is to understand how the SGLT2 inhibitor works to improve fatty livers. Based on our published study and preliminary data, we hypothesizes that SGLT2 inhibitors promote ketone body synthesis in the liver, which leads to reductions in fat accumulation in liver cells.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kyoung-Han Kim

Student:

Partner:

University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Ottawa

Program: