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Review
. 2023 Jul 6:11:1156749.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1156749. eCollection 2023.

Intervertebral disc degeneration-Current therapeutic options and challenges

Ankita Samanta  1 , Thomas Lufkin  1 , Petra Kraus  1
Affiliations
Review

Intervertebral disc degeneration-Current therapeutic options and challenges

Ankita Samanta et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is a normal part of aging. Due to the spine's declining function and the development of pain, it may affect one's physical health, mental health, and socioeconomic status. Most of the intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) therapies today focus on the symptoms of low back pain rather than the underlying etiology or mechanical function of the disc. The deteriorated disc is typically not restored by conservative or surgical therapies that largely focus on correcting symptoms and structural abnormalities. To enhance the clinical outcome and the quality of life of a patient, several therapeutic modalities have been created. In this review, we discuss genetic and environmental causes of IVDD and describe promising modern endogenous and exogenous therapeutic approaches including their applicability and relevance to the degeneration process.

Keywords: exosome; intervertebral disc degeneration; small molecule; stem cell; therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The intervertebral disc. (A) Healthy IVD (B) Degenerated IVD. AF, annulus fibrosus; CEP, cartilaginous end plates; NP, nucleus pulposus. This figure created in the Mind the Graph platform (www.mindthegraph.com).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Causes of IVDD.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Current strategies for IVDD therapies. EV, extracellular vesicles; IVDD, intervertebral disc degeneration; MSC, mesenchymal stem cells.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Exosome biogenesis and composition. DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; miRNA, microRNA; MVB, multivesicular bodies; RNA, ribonucleic acid. This figure created in the Mind the Graph platform (www.mindthegraph.com).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Summary of modern therapy approaches for lower back pain from IVDD. IVD, intervertebral disc; IVDD, intervertebral disc degeneration; GF, growth factor; AAV, adeno-associated virus. This figure was created in the Mind the Graph platform (www.mindthegraph.com).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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