Electric currents in disc health: The role of ion channels in intervertebral disc pathophysiology

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), which is known as a common global health concern, has been a significant factor in neck and back pain. The intervertebral discs are avascular structures consisting of the nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and cartilage endplate, which are crucial for regulating the spinal motion, withstanding stress, and buffering vibration. Due to their special anatomical structure and functional role, they are highly susceptible to stimulation by external factors. Ion channels are transmembrane proteins which have attracted significant attention and great progress in cardiovascular diseases and neurological diseases, and the importance of them in the pathophysiology of IVDD is gaining recognition. They function as a receptor to stimulate the influx of calcium within cells, which acts as a second messenger to activate downstream pathways and upregulate the expression of transcriptional protein, thereby triggering IVDD. This review classified the ion channel families into three types based on their primary activation mechanisms, and then described the regulation of ion channels from transcription and translation to trafficking and expression. Subsequently, the function of ion channels in the pathophysiology of IVDD as well as their potential and practicality in treatment were the main topics of this review. We hope this review could help understand and

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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