The proximal tubule's sodium-glucose linked transporter-2 (SGLT2) accounts for 
the vast majority of glucose reabsorption by the kidney. Its selective 
inhibition, accordingly, leads to substantial glycosuria, lowering blood 
glucose, and facilitating weight loss in individuals with diabetes. During the 
past year, two SGLT2 inhibitors, canagliflozin and dapagliflozin, have been 
approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Beyond their anti-hyperglycemic 
properties, however, this new class of drugs has several other attributes that 
provide a theoretical basis for kidney protection. Like agents that block the 
renin-angiotensin system, SGLT2 inhibitors also reduce single-nephron glomerular 
filtration rate (SNGFR) in the chronically diseased kidney, though by quite 
different mechanisms. Additional potentially beneficial effects of SGLT2 
inhibition include modest reductions in blood pressure and plasma uric acid. 
Finally, cell culture studies indicate that glucose uptake from the tubular 
lumen, as well as from the basolateral compartment, can contribute to proximal 
tubular production of extracellular matrix proteins. Whether such attributes 
will translate into reducing the progression of chronic kidney disease will 
require the undertaking of long-term, dedicated studies.