SLC5A2 and chronic kidney disease: Although the BP-lowering effect of apelin was modest (~ 4 mmHg), it is similar in magnitude to that of the SGLT2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, which lowers systolic BP by ~ 3 mmHg and diastolic BP by ~ 1 mmHg in CKD, and reduces cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in those with and without CKD15,16.