The effects of semaglutide, empagliflozin and their combination on the kidney sodium signal from magnetic resonance imaging: A prespecified, secondary analysis from a randomized, clinical trial.

Gullaksen S, Vernstrøm L, Sørensen SS, Ringgaard S, Laustsen C, Birn H, Funck KL, Poulsen PL, Laugesen E

Journal of diabetes and its complications5 Jan 2024Cited by 4 (Europe PMC)

PMID38219335DOI10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108673PepBankPUB-38219335

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

AimsTo evaluate the effect of treatment with semaglutide and empagliflozin on the cortico-medullary sodium gradient (MCR; medulla/cortex ratio), urine sodium/creatinine ratio (UNACR), and estimated plasma volume (ePV) and to compare the MCR between persons with and without type 2 diabetes.MethodsUsing the ²³Na magnetic resonance imaging (²³Na-MRI) technique, we investigated the effects of 32 weeks of treatment with semaglutide, empagliflozin or their combination on MCR in 65 participants with type 2 diabetes and high risk of cardiovascular disease. The participants were recruited from a randomized, controlled interventional trial and further characterized by UNACR and ePV. In addition, in a cross-sectional design, we compared MCR by ²³Na-MRI in 12 persons with type 2 diabetes and 17 matched controls. Data from the interventional trial were analyzed using a single, multivariate linear mixed model strategy for repeated measurements. Data from the cross-sectional study were analyzed by fitting a linear regression model adjusted for age and sex.ResultsCompared to placebo, semaglutide, but not empagliflozin, significantly decreased the MCR (-9 %, 95%CI (-18, -0.06)%, p = 0.035 and -0.05 %, 95%CI(-0.15, 0.05)%, p = 0.319, respectively). The UNACR decreased in the semaglutide group(-35 %, 95 % CI(-52, -14) %, p = 0.003) but not in the empagliflozin group (7 %, 95 % CI(-21, 44)%, p = 0.657), whereas the ePV decreased in the combination group. The MCR was not different between persons with and without type 2 diabetes.Conclusion²³Na magnetic resonance imaging can identify drug induced changes in the MCR in persons with type 2 diabetes, and 32 weeks of semaglutide decreases the MCR in such persons. There is no difference in the MCR between persons with and without type 2 diabetes.Trial number and registryEUDRACT 2019-000781-38, clinicaltrialsregister.eu.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, semaglutide decreased the kidney medulla/cortex sodium ratio by 9% versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide lowered the kidney sodium gradient by 9% compared with placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseCortico-medullary sodium ratio (MCR) change
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Kidney function · Kidney and urinary
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 32 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
MCR change
−9%
semaglutide vs placebo
Source sentences
Summary
Compared to placebo, semaglutide, but not empagliflozin, significantly decreased the MCR (-9 %, 95%CI (-18, -0.06)%, p = 0.035
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the ²³Na magnetic resonance imaging (²³Na-MRI) technique, we investigated the effects of 32 weeks of treatment with semaglutide, empagliflozin or their combination on MCR in 65 participants with type 2 diabetes and high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3821933501
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, the urine sodium/creatinine ratio decreased by 35% in the semaglutide group.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, urine sodium relative to creatinine fell by 35% in the semaglutide group.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseUrine sodium/creatinine ratio (UNACR) change
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Kidney function · Kidney and urinary
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 32 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
UNACR change
−35%
semaglutide group
Source sentences
Summary
The UNACR decreased in the semaglutide group(-35 %, 95 % CI(-52, -14) %, p = 0.003
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the ²³Na magnetic resonance imaging (²³Na-MRI) technique, we investigated the effects of 32 weeks of treatment with semaglutide, empagliflozin or their combination on MCR in 65 participants with type 2 diabetes and high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3821933502

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Semaglutide.

03HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, estimated plasma volume decreased in the group given semaglutide plus empagliflozin.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, estimated plasma volume fell in the group given semaglutide together with empagliflozin.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseEstimated plasma volume (ePV) change
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Kidney function · Kidney and urinary
Source sentences
Summary
whereas the ePV decreased in the combination group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Using the ²³Na magnetic resonance imaging (²³Na-MRI) technique, we investigated the effects of 32 weeks of treatment with semaglutide, empagliflozin or their combination on MCR in 65 participants with type 2 diabetes and high risk of cardiovascular disease.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3821933503

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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Terms as the source lists them.

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