A Novel Approach to Blood Glucose Control in Diabetic Dogs
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases in dogs. Despite daily insulin injections, achieving stable blood glucose control often remains a challenge for veterinarians and pet owners alike. A recent pilot study by Ju-Hyun An et al. (2024) investigated the new SGLT2 inhibitor DWP16001 as an add-on therapy to insulin in diabetic dogs, with promising results.
What is DWP16001?
DWP16001 (Enavogliflozin) is an innovative compound from the class of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, originally developed for the treatment of human diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors act by blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, which promotes glucose excretion through urine. This mechanism works independently of insulin, offering a valuable advantage for insulin-dependent patients.
Compared to established drugs of this class, such as dapagliflozin or ipragliflozin, DWP16001 exhibits a longer-lasting and stronger hypoglycemic effect. The substance was developed by Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and, following successful phase 3 clinical trials, has already been approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KFDA) for human use. The present study demonstrates that DWP16001 can also be applied safely in dogs with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, offering a new therapeutic perspective in veterinary medicine.
Improved Glycemic Control without Adverse Effects
In the trial, 19 diabetic dogs received DWP16001 in addition to their standard insulin therapy for up to twelve months. The findings were clear:
- the daily insulin dose was reduced,
- blood glucose and fructosamine levels decreased,
- and no severe adverse effects such as hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, or dehydration occurred.
Particularly in dogs receiving daily doses of 0.025 mg/kg, significant improvements were observed in blood pressure, fructosamine, and insulin requirements. These results suggest that DWP16001 is a safe and effective add-on therapy for diabetic dogs receiving insulin.
The Role of Chitosan in Drug Formulation
When developing advanced therapies for diabetes, chitosan is gaining attention as a functional biopolymer. As a natural, biocompatible, and biodegradable substance, chitosan serves as an excellent drug delivery carrier in pharmaceutical formulations.
Especially low-molecular-weight chitosan (50–150 kDa, degree of deacetylation above 85%) can:
- improve the oral bioavailability of active substances like DWP16001,
- act as a protective matrix against enzymatic degradation,
- and enable controlled release in the gastrointestinal tract.
By using chitosan-based nanoparticles or microencapsulation systems, DWP16001 could be delivered in a targeted manner, improving stability and absorption while reducing potential side effects. In addition, research indicates that chitosan itself exhibits antidiabetic properties, such as reducing intestinal glucose absorption and enhancing insulin sensitivity. Therefore, combining DWP16001 with chitosan could result in synergistic therapeutic effects.
Outlook
This pilot study provides an important foundation for the veterinary application of SGLT2 inhibitors such as DWP16001. Future research could focus on integrating chitosan as an excipient to further enhance stability, safety, and bioavailability.
The combination of biotechnological polysaccharides like chitosan with innovative hypoglycemic agents represents a promising field for developing more effective and animal-friendly therapies against diabetes mellitus.
Reference
An, J.-H., Choi, H.-S., Choi, J.-S., Lim, H.-W., Huh, W., Oh, Y.-I., Park, J. S., Han, J., Lim, S., Lim, C.-Y., Kim, T.-H., Moon, J.-B., & Youn, H.-Y. (2024). Effect of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, DWP16001, as an add-on therapy to insulin for diabetic dogs: A pilot study. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 10, e1454. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1454
First published on 7th of November 2025
Revised on 7th of November 2025