Seminar Series in Quantitative Life Sciences and Medicine
Cardiovascular benefits and potential side effects of SGLT2 inhibitors, a new class of anti-hyperglyceamic drugs
Anita Layton (Waterloo)
Tuesday March 5, 12-1pm
Montreal Neurological Institute, deGrandpre Communications Centre
Abstract:Â Computational modeling can be used to reveal insights into the mechanisms and potential side effects of a new drug. Here we will focus on diabetes, which affects 1 in 10 people in North America. Specifically, we are interested in a class of relatively novel drug treatment, the SGLT2 inhibitors (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors). E.g., Dapagliflozin, Canagliflozin, and Empagliflozin. SGLT2 inhibitors targets the kidney, specifically, the proximal convoluted tubule which under euglycemic conditions reabsorbs all the filtered glucose. We conduct simulations to better understand (1) the mechanisms underlying the blood pressure lowering effects observed in clinical trials, and (2) any side effect these drugs may have on our kidneys.