SLC5A2 and diabetic kidney disease: In another study, empagliflozin inhibited MCP1 and TGF-β gene expression in an experimental model of diabetic nephropathy [35], while others found that SGLT2 inhibition reduced levels of MCP-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in aortic plaques and adipose tissue [36], as well as nuclear factor κB and IL-6 levels in renal tissues [37].