Senolytics as a Treatment for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Degenerative disc disease is commonplace, and in recent years research has implicated the age-related accumulation of senescent cells in the onset and progression of this condition. Senolytic drugs to clear senescent cells may thus be a useful treatment. Existing senolytics, such as the dasatinib and quercetin combination, could be applied to many age-related conditions, since senescent cells and their inflammatory secretions produce broad negative effects on cell and tissue function. Unfortunately there is little funding and financial incentive for academic organizations to run clinical trials for even a significant fraction of these conditions. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) refers to an age-related change that mainly occurs in the lumbar intervertebral disc and often precedes other age-related changes. During the process of IVDD, annulus fibrosis (AF), one of the important compositions of intervertebral disc, loses its original layer and toughness, and reticulated degeneration and hyalinization appear, while the percentage of water decreases in another component called nucleus pulposus (NP). As a result, the intervertebral disc loses its normal elasticity and tension. Aging is the primary risk factor for the development of IVDD, which causes the accumulation of senescent cells in the intervertebral disc. Researchers have found that senescent NP cells play an important role in the initiation of IVDD. The number of senescent NP cells increased signif...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs