Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, and scientific studies consistently report that NAFLD development can be accelerated by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can induce the progression of NAFLD to NASH by stimulating Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, and hepatocytes. Therefore, studies are underway to identify the role of antioxidants in the treatment of NAFLD. In this review, we have summarized the origins of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, the relationship between ROS and NAFLD, and have discussed the use of antioxidants as therapeutic agents for NAFLD.

Free radical generation and oxidative stress push forward an immense influence on the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Maclura tricuspidata fruit (MT) contains many biologically active substances, including compounds with antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of MT fruit on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with MT, and cell damage was induced by H₂O₂. First, the chemical composition and free radical scavenging properties of MT were analyzed. MT attenuated oxidative stress-induced damage in cells based on the assessment of cell viability. The H₂O₂-induced toxicity caused by ROS production and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was ameliorated by MT pretreatment. MT also promoted an increase in the expression of genes encoding the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). MT pretreatment was associated with an increase in the expression of neuronal genes downregulated by H₂O₂. Mechanistically, MT dramatically suppressed H₂O₂-induced Bcl-2 downregulation, Bax upregulation, apoptotic factor caspase-3 activation, Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (JNK, ERK, and p38), and Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, thereby preventing H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity. These results indicate that MT has protective effects against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in SH-SY5Y cells and can be used to prevent and protect against neurodegeneration.

Sangjun Lee, Yong Yu, Namsoo Kim, Suyoung Heo. J Vet Clin 2025;42:37-41. https://doi.org/10.17555/jvc.2025.42.1.37

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) in dogs refers to abnormal motion at the C1–C2 articulation due to congenital or developmental anomalies. Surgical treatment options for AAI include dorsal and ventral stabilization techniques. Ventral stabilization techniques commonly utilize transarticular and vertebral body screws or pins. However, accurate screw insertion into the vertebrae of C1 and C2 is difficult because of the narrow safety corridors. This study included 10 mixed dogs, 1 Pomeranian, and 1 Shih-Tzu cadaver. All dogs weighed <10 kg. Each specimen was scanned using computed tomography (CT) from the head to the 7th cervical vertebrae. This study used 12 bone models and 6 patient-specific drill guides. Bone models were made using CT images and drill guides were created through a CAD (computer-aided design) program. A total of six cortical screws were used for each specimen. Two screws were placed at each of the C1, C2 cranial, and C2 caudal positions. Postoperative CT images of the cervical region were obtained. The degree of cortex breaching and angle and bicortical status of each screw was evaluated. The number of screws that did not penetrate the vertebral canal was higher in the guided group (33/36, 92%) than in the control group (20/36, 56%) (P = 0.003). The screw angles were more similar to the reference angle compared to the control group. The number of bicortically applied screws in the control group was 28/36 (78%) compared to 34/36 (94%) in the guided group. Differences between the preoperative plan and the length of the applied screw at the C1 and C2 caudal positions were determined by comparing the screw lengths in the guide group. The study results demonstrated that the use of a patient-specific 3D-printed drill guide for AAI ventral stabilization can improve the accuracy of the surgery. The use of rehearsal using bone models and a drilling guide may improve screw insertion accuracy.

Park D, et al. J Vet Sci. 2019 Oct;21:e67. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e67

As the frequency of spine surgery increases in the veterinary field, many studies have been conducted on minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). Although many studies have been conducted on the thoracolumbar spine about MISS in animals, several problems and limitations have emerged regarding this method. Therefore, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) printed patient-specific surgical guide (3DPSSG) using 3D printing technology to overcome these problems. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy and safety of the 3DPSSG in minimally invasive mini-hemilaminectomy-corpectomy (MI-MHC). MI-MHC using 3DPSSG and an endoscopic system was performed at L1–L2 in 15 cadaveric dogs. The procedure of fixing the surgical guide to the vertebral body through screws and the surgical procedure using the guide were performed by two surgeons with different experiences. Postoperative computed tomography was used to measure planned and postoperative screw trajectories (angle, protruding from the far cortex) and to create 3D rendering images of vertebrae to evaluate the direction of bone window formation, corpectomy slot length, depth, and height ratio. The two groups which performed by two surgeons with different experiences did not differ in terms of screw angle deviation and length of the screw protruded from the far cortex. The corpectomy slot-length ratio was not different between the two groups; however, the slot-depth and height ratios were different. No differences were detected in screw trajectory and corpectomy slot-length ratio between the two groups. The 3DPSSG for MI-MHC is classified as accurate and safe; therefore, it can be an alternative to the conventional technique in dogs.