Extracellular vesicles (EVs), defined as cell-secreted nanoscale vesicles that carry bioactive molecules, have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in tumor and tissue regeneration. Their potential in repairing intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) through multidimensional regulatory mechanisms is a rapidly advancing field of research. This paper provided an overview of the mechanisms of EVs in IDD repair, thoroughly reviewed recent literature on EVs for IDD, domestically and internationally, and summarized their therapeutic mechanisms. In IDD repair, EVs could act through different mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. At the molecular level, EVs could treat IDD by inhibiting inflammatory reactions, suppressing oxidative stress, and regulating the synthesis and decomposition of extracellular matrix. At the cellular level, EVs could treat IDD by inhibiting cellular pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation and differentiation. At the tissue level, EVs could treat IDD by inhibiting neovascularization. EVs have a strong potential for clinical application in the treatment of IDD and deserve more profound study.
Extracellular Vesicles/physiology* ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/therapy* ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Oxidative Stress ; Cell Differentiation ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Animals ; Pyroptosis

OBJECTIVE: To summarize recent research progress in hydrogel-based growth factors for treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). METHODS: The relevant literature on hydrogel-based growth factors for IDD treatment at home and abroad was extensively reviewed, and their advantages and therapeutic effects in repairing IDD were analyzed and summarized. RESULTS: Hydrogels exhibit high hydration, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, enabling targeted delivery and sustained release of growth factors such as growth differentiation factors and transforming growth factors. This facilitates enhanced efficacy in promoting cell proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, and reducing inflammatory responses. Consequently, hydrogels demonstrate broad application prospects in the repair of IDD. CONCLUSION Research on hydrogel-based growth factors for treating IDD demonstrates advantages such as avoiding disc damage caused by repeated injections and controlling growth factor release concentrations. However, drawbacks include the limited variety of loaded growth factors and the need to verify the long-term stability and biocompatibility of hydrogels. Therefore, further research is required on aspects such as the types of loaded growth factors and the long-term stability and biocompatibility of hydrogels to establish an experimental foundation for their clinical application.
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/therapy* ; Hydrogels/chemistry* ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/administration & dosage* ; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry* ; Animals ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Drug Delivery Systems

This study aims to investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue Decoction regulating adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)-exosomes(Exos) on the apoptosis of intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells(NPCs) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) signaling pathway. Tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide(TBHP)-induced NPCs were divided into control, model, drug-containing serum, blank Exos, normal serum Exos, and drug-containing serum Exos groups. Cell viability and proliferation were examined by the CCK-8 assay and EdU staining, respectively. The cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and IL-6. The mRNA levels of aggrecan, collagen type Ⅱ alpha 1 chain(COL2A1), and ERK were determined by qRT-PCR, and the protein levels of aggrecan, COL2A1, and p-ERK were determined by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the model group, the treatments with drug-containing serum, blank Exos, and normal serum Exos enhanced the viability and proliferation of NPCs, decreased the proportion of cells in the G_0/G_1 phase, increased the proportion of cells in the S phase, reduced apoptosis, lowered the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of aggrecan and COL2A1, and down-regulated the mRNA level of ERK and the protein level of p-ERK. Compared with the drug-containing serum, blank Exos, and normal serum Exos groups, the treatment with drug-containing serum Exos enhanced the viability and proliferation of NPCs, decreased the proportion of cells in the G_0/G_1 phase, increased the cells in the S phase, reduced apoptosis, lowered the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of aggrecan and COL2A1, and down-regulated the mRNA level of ERK and the protein level of p-ERK. The results confirmed that the Exos secreted by ADSCs after treatment with Bushen Huoxue Decoction-containing serum promoted the proliferation of degenerated NPCs, inhibited apoptosis and the expression of inflammatory mediators, and promoted the production of proteoglycans and collagen, thus delaying the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration, the mechanism of which was related to the regulation of the ERK signaling pathway.
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/drug therapy* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Nucleus Pulposus/cytology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Rats ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Collagen Type II/metabolism* ; Humans ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Aggrecans/metabolism* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Male ; Cells, Cultured ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

Degenerative cervical spondylosis is a common spinal disorder in the elderly. During its progression, structural changes such as intervertebral disc degeneration, vertebral osteophyte formation, and facet joint degeneration directly impact neural structures, resulting in neuropathic pain. Moreover, the release of inflammatory mediators can further exacerbate pain, and increased neuronal excitability is considered one of the key pathological mechanisms of neuropathic pain. Current diagnostic and assessment methods for neuropathic pain associated with degenerative cervical spondylosis include clinical evaluation, imaging techniques (such as X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging), and neurophysiological examinations (including electromyography and nerve conduction studies). Treatment options primarily involve pharmacological therapy, physical therapy, and surgical intervention, which have shown promising short-term outcomes. Despite progress made through the combined use of various treatment modalities, their long-term efficacy and safety remain to be further investigated. Personalized and multimodal treatment strategies are essential for improving patients' quality of life. Future research should continue to explore pain mechanisms and develop innovative therapeutic techniques to optimize clinical management.
Humans ; Spondylosis/therapy* ; Neuralgia/diagnosis* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/complications* ; Physical Therapy Modalities

Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of Bushen Huoxue Formula (BSHXF) for the treatment of discogenic low-back pain (DLBP). METHODS: This was a parallel, double-blind, randomized, clinical trial performed between May 2019 and June 2020. Seventy patients were assigned by computerized random number table to the treatment group (lumbar traction and BSHXF, 35 cases) or the control group (lumbar traction and placebo, 35 cases). The patients received intervention for 3 weeks. Assessment was conducted before treatment and at week 1, 2, 3 during treatment. Primary outcome was the self-reported score of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Secondary outcomes included Visual Analog Scale (VAS), clinical efficacy rate by minimal clinically important difference (MCID) as well as lumbar tenderness, muscle tone and lumbar spine mobility. Adverse reactions were recorded. Follow-up was performed at 1 and 3 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: In the treatment group, ODI score was significantly decreased compared with baseline (P<0.05) and the control group at 2- and 3- week treatment. Similarly, VAS score decreased compared with the baseline (P<0.05) and was lower than that in the control group at 2- and 3- week treatment (P<0.05). The clinical efficacy rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group after treatment [32.35% (11/34) vs. 3.13% (1/32), P<0.05). Moreover, the tenderness, and muscle tone, as well as the back extension and left flexion in lumbar spine mobility in the treatment group at 3-week treatment were significantly improved compared with the control group (P<0.05). Follow-up showed that at 1-month after treatment, the treatment group had better outcomes than the control group with regard to a total score of ODI and VAS scores, as well as clinical efficacy rate (all P<0.05). Moreover, VAS score was still significantly lower than the control group at 3-month follow-up (P<0.05). No adverse reactions were reported during the study. CONCLUSION BSXHF combined with lumbar traction can significantly improve the clinical symptoms including pain intensity, functionality, muscle tone, and lumbar spine mobility in DLBP patients. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900027777).
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/therapy* ; Low Back Pain/drug therapy* ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Pain Measurement ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of single acupoint [Yaotu (extra)] electroacupuncture (EA) therapy on lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH) and its promotion and application in community medical institutions. METHODS: This research adopted a three-level promotion model, and used multi-center collaboration topics as a platform. A total of 240 patients with LIDH were divided into a group A (top three hospital, 80 cases, 3 cases dropped off), a group B (secondary hospital, 80 cases, 8 cases dropped off), and a group C (community health center, 80 cases, 7 cases dropped off). All groups were treated with EA at a single acupoint [Yaotu (extra)] under the guidance of a unified experimental protocol. The EA was given 60 min each time and performed 3 times a week for a total of 2 weeks. The changes of visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of three groups before and after each treatment were compared, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with before each treatment, the VAS scores of three groups after each treatment decreased ( CONCLUSION The single acupoint EA therapy has a significant effect in the treatment of LIDH, can quickly relieve the pain symptoms, and has the characteristics of simple operation and easy control, suitable for promotion and application in primary hospitals.
Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with different multifidus fatty infiltration rates. METHODS: A total of 108 eligible LDH patients received MRI test before treatment and the multifidus fatty infiltration rate (FI) was measured. According to theresults, they were divided to group A (FI<10%), group B (10%≤FI≤20%) and group C (FI>20%), 36 cases in each one. EA was provided in all of the groups. The selected acupoints were Jiaji (EX-B 2) from L RESULTS: Compared with before treatment, ODI score was reduced ( CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture relieves pain and improves physical and psychological health of LDH patients. Multifidus fatty infiltration rate is probably one of the factors to influence the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture.
Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/therapy* ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Paraspinal Muscles

OBJECTIVE: To observe the analgesic effect of lever positioning manipulation combined with pulsed electric field on patients with lumbar disc herniation and the influence on serum IL-1β and TNF-α. METHODS: From January 2018 to March 2019, 58 patients with lumbar disc herniation were included in the study, which were randomly divided into observation group and control group by digital table method. Observation group of 29 cases, including 16 males and 13 females, aged (38.03±11.29) years old, were treated with lever positioning manipulation combined with pulsed electric field. The 29 cases in control group, including 17 males and 12 females, aged (38.21±9.16) years old, were treated with pulsed electric field. Both groups of patients were treated 3 times a week, once every other day, 3 times as a course of treatment. After 2 courses of treatment, the two groups of patients were scored before and after treatment by the numeric rating scales (NRS);at the same time, the serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: The NRS scores of observation group and control group were 4.21±1.76, 4.66±1.61 before treatment, and 1.28±0.84, 2.10±1.35 after treatment, respectively. The NRS scores of the observation group after treatment was significantly lower than that of the control group ( CONCLUSION The lever positioning manipulation combined with pulsed electric field has a good analgesic effect on patients with lumbar disc herniation, and it has a significant impact on the patient's serum IL-1β and TNF-α concentration, which can be used as a clinical guide. However, the synergistic effect of lever positioning technique combined with pulsed electric field and guidelines for clinical treatment need further research.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/therapy* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of lever positioning manipulation for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation and its effect on Cobb angle. METHODS: From December 2017 to November 2018, 67 patients with lumbar disc herniation were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group by digital table method. There were 34 cases in the treatment group, including 20 males and 14 females, with an average age of (36.09±8.26) years old and a course of (13.79±15.50) months. Treatment group was treated with lever positioning manipulation. There were 33 cases in the control group, including 18 males and 15 females, with an average age of(36.48±7.81) years old and a course of (12.82±15.68) months. Control group was treated with lumbar slanting manipulation. Two groups were treated 3 times a week, once every other day, 6 times for a course of treatment, after 2 courses of treatment, the changes of Cobb angle before and after treatment were compared between two groups by imaging. The symptoms and signs were scored with reference to clinical evaluation standard;overall efficacy was evaluated with reference to "Diagnostic Efficacy Criteria of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome" issued by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for lumbar disc herniation. RESULTS: One patient in each group dropped out. The symptom and sign scores of treatment group and control group before treatment were 18.56± 4.81, 18.61±3.72, while after treatment were 9.41±5.19, 13.55±3.68;treatment group was significantly lower than control group after treatment ( CONCLUSION Both the lever positioning manipulation and the lumbar slanting manipulation methods are effective for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, but clinical effect of lever positioning method on lumbar disc herniation is more significant, and the effect on Cobb angle is more obvious. It is worthy of promotion.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/therapy* ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Manipulation, Spinal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Treatment Outcome