Pharmacological TreatmentsType 2 Diabetes (T2D)
RESEARCH SUMMARY

Canagliflozin may reduce myocardial fibrosis in high-risk type 2 diabetes

Moderate confidence
some concerns bias
Last updated June 2, 2026

Key takeaway:

In a 26-week randomized trial, canagliflozin reduced CMR-measured myocardial extracellular volume and improved some left ventricular structural measures versus sitagliptin in adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk.

Study at a glance

What was studied

Canagliflozin versus sitagliptin for cardiac remodeling in high-risk type 2 diabetes

Study type

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)

duration

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Intervention

Canagliflozin, Sitagliptin

Outcomes

Extracellular volume, Left ventricular end-diastolic volume, Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, HbA1c, Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), Urinary tract infection rate

Funding

Industry sponsored

Main effects

Canagliflozin ↓ myocardial extracellular volume versus sitagliptin at 26 weeks

Canagliflozin ↓ left ventricular end-diastolic volume and diameter

HbA1c ↓ similarly in both groups, with no clear between-group difference

evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Primary cardiac MRI fibrosis marker favored canagliflozin over active comparator
  • Some structural remodeling measures improved, but systolic function measures did not clearly differ
  • Cardiac effects appeared separate from glucose lowering because HbA1c reductions were similar in both groups
who this applies

Who this applies to

Adults aged 18 to 75 years with type 2 diabetes

keep in mind

Keep in Mind

This was a 26-week study, so long-term durability is unknown

between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Small single-center trial with 45 randomized participants
  • Open-label design may introduce bias despite blinded outcome assessment
  • Main findings rely on surrogate imaging markers rather than clinical cardiovascular events

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Journal Reference

Yan H, Liu J, Zhang Z, et al. Canagliflozin attenuates CMR-quantified myocardial fibrosis in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus at high cardiovascular risk: a randomised open-label controlled trial. Diabetologia. 2026;69(6):1532-1544. doi:10.1007/s00125-026-06682-w

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