Empagliflozin improves beta cell function independently of relief of glucotoxicity in patients with type 2 diabetes: results from a randomised cross-over study with insulin as comparator
Authors' conclusion
With similar glycaemic control, insulin sensitivity was higher and beta cell function improved during empagliflozin compared with insulin treatment, possibly due to a disinhibitory effect of lower insulin concentrations.
Study context
- Population
- Adults (≥18 years) with non-insulin-treated T2D, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m², diabetes duration >3 months; Hvidovre Hospital, Denmarkcompleters analysed
- Participants
- 17 adults
- Comparison
- Empagliflozin vs NPH insulin titrated to similar glycaemic control
- Primary endpoint
- Beta cell function (disposition index = bGS × insulin sensitivity; bGS from fasting and post-OGTT (5 h) studies)
- Follow-up
- During 5 weeks of treatment
Methodological detailsopen-label, cross-over, 3 week washout, Data collected at the Department of Endocrinology, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark
- Open-label
- Cross-over
- 3 week washout
- Data collected at the Department of Endocrinology, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Beta cell function
- bGS higher during empagliflozin than during insulin treatment
- Disposition index improved during empagliflozin vs insulin treatment
- Equipoised glycaemic control
Further findings
Insulin sensitivity
- Insulin sensitivity higher during empagliflozin than during insulin treatment
Insulin concentrations
- Insulin concentrations higher during insulin than during empagliflozin treatment
Original publication
Empagliflozin improves beta cell function independently of relief of glucotoxicity in patients with type 2 diabetes: results from a randomised cross-over study with insulin as comparator. Diabetologia. Published 9 December 2025. doi:10.
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