Introduction: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a new class of anti-diabetic drugs. SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood glucose levels by decreasing glucose reabsorption in the proximal renal tubule, resulting in increased urinary glucose and sodium excretion. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of SGLT2i on individual renal outcomes in diabetic patients. Methods: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. A comprehensive search of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted in the Cochrane Library and PubMed, to identify relevant articles focusing on SGLT2i and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetic patients. The most recent article search was conducted on July 12, 2021. Results: Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. Two trials were comparing dapagliflozin, two comparing empagliflozin, one comparing ertugliflozin, one comparing canagliflozin, and one comparing sotagliflozin. Composite renal outcome and acute kidney injury (AKI) was found in seven and four studies, respectively. Data on end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and albuminuria or initiation of renal replacement therapy were reported in the two studies. The pooled risk ratio (RR) 95% confidence interval (CI) for the composite renal outcome was 0.54 (0.50–0.59), with 92 % heterogeneity. The pooled RR for AKI was 0.77 (0.66–0.89), with no heterogeneity. A significant lower incidence of albuminuria (RR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.59–0.81), initiation of renal replacement therapy (RR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.58–0.87), was observed following the use of SGLT2 inhibitors. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that the SGLT2 inhibitors can reduce the risk of albuminuria, AKI and renal replacement therapy in ESKD patients with T2D (type 2 diabetes). These meta-analyses provide substantial evidence supporting the beneficial effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on reducing CKD events in individuals with T2D.

Introduction: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) genes have been implicated in renal hemodynamics as potent regulators of vascular tone and blood pressure. It has been linked to a reduction in plasma nitric oxide levels. Several studies have recently been conducted to investigate the role of NOS3 gene polymorphisms and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, the results are still unclear and the mechanisms are not fully defined. As a result, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between NOS3 gene polymorphism and ESRD in autosomal polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. Methods: To assess the relationship between NOS3 gene polymorphism and ESRD, relevant studies published between September 2002 and December 2020 were retrieved from the PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a fixed-effect model. To assess the heterogeneity of studies, we used Cochrane’s Q test and the Higgins and Thompson I2 statistics. Results: Our meta-analysis of 13 studies showed that the presence of the two NOS3 gene polymorphisms significantly increased ESRD risk in ADPKD patients with 4a/b gene polymorphism (aa+ab vs. bb: OR=1.95, 95% CI=1.24-3.09, p=0.004). In addition, no significant association was found between the NOS3 894G>T (Glu298Asp) polymorphism and the risk of ESRD in ADPKD patients (GT+TT vs. GG: OR=1.21, 95% CI=0.93-1.58, p=0.157). There was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions: The findings of the current meta-analysis suggest that NOS3 intron 4a/b polymorphism plays a vital role in the increasing risk of ESRD in ADPKD patients.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the hereditary blood disorders that affects the red blood cells. Several lines of evidence indicated that the vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is quite common in children with SCD and vitamin D supplementation enhanced health-related quality of life in these patients. The present study is aimed to assess the exact prevalence of VDD in SCD patients using meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar to extract the papers that contain prevalence data and numbers of patients with VDD in SCD patients and healthy people. Pooled prevalence was estimated using MAJOR module of Jamovi library. The overall risk ratio of having VDD in patients with SCD was calculated using the Review Manager (RevMan 5.4.1) program. Results: A total of 26 prevalence estimates from 25 papers were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of VDD among SCD patients is 60% (95% CIs: 50%-70%). Further, VDD is not significantly different in both SCD patients and healthy controls (risk ratio of 1.28 and 95% CI of 0.81-2.04). Conclusion: Results of this meta-analysis indicate prevalence of VDD in SCD patients. Further, a well-designed, placebo-controlled RCTs have to be conducted to determine the effects and the safety of vitamin D supplementation in children and adults with SCD.