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In the current modern era of unhealthy lifestyles, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease and has become a serious global health problem. To date, there is no approved pharmacotherapy for the treatment of NAFLD, and necessary lifestyle changes such as weight loss, diet, and exercise are usually not sufficient to manage this disease. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a significantly higher risk of developing NAFLD and vice versa. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are antidiabetic agents that have recently been approved for two other indications: chronic kidney disease and heart failure in diabetics and non-diabetics. They are also emerging as promising new agents for NAFLD treatment, as they have shown beneficial effects on hepatic inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis. Studies in animals have reported favorable effects of SGLT2 inhibitors, and studies in patients also found positive effects on body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, glucose levels, liver enzymes, apoptosis, and transcription factors. There are some theories regarding how SGLT2 inhibitors affect the liver, but the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood. Therefore, biomarkers to evaluate underlying mechanisms of action of SGLT2 inhibitors on the liver have now been scrutinized to assess their potential as a future in-label therapy for NAFLD. In addition, finding suitable non-invasive biomarkers could be helpful in clinical practice for the early detection of NAFLD in patients. This is crucial for a positive disease outcome. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the most recent findings on the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on NAFLD biomarkers and the potential of SGLT2 inhibitors to successfully treat NAFLD.

Peptic ulcer is a chronic disease affecting up to 10% of the world's population. The formation of peptic ulcers depends on the presence of gastric juice pH and the decrease in mucosal defenses. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection are the two major factors disrupting the mucosal resistance to injury. Conventional treatments of peptic ulcers, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists, have demonstrated adverse effects, relapses, and various drug interactions. On the other hand, medicinal plants and their chemical compounds are useful in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. Hence, this review presents common medicinal plants that may be used for the treatment or prevention of peptic ulcers.

Background: Prescribing medications is one of the most common medical decisions that is made by primary care providers (PCPs). In the Republic of Croatia, PCPs hold a key position in prescribing and evaluating the medications that are provided for patients. Accordingly, providing advice for patients regarding the potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) is frequently the responsibility of the PCPs. The aim of the current study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and counseling practices of PCPs regarding drug interactions and adverse effects., Methods: After enrolling 195 PCPs that were selected at random, a survey was conducted while using an anonymous questionnaire that was created based on previously published studies, adjusted in a way that includes the most commonly prescribed medications in Croatia., Results: Of the 10 questions on knowledge about DDIs and ADRs, the median number of correct responses by PCPs was 5 (interquartile range 4 to 7). More than half of respondents (56%) agreed with the claim that knowledge of drug side effects facilitated their work in family medicine. Almost all of the respondents (92.8%) explained side effects and drug interactions to special groups of patients (pregnant women, elderly patients etc.)., Conclusion: The results show a need for additional education in the field of drug prescribing. However, PCPs were aware of the importance of counseling practices about adverse drug reactions and interactions and counseling practices among special patients populations are satisfactory.