Lower back pain is one of the most common health problems in the world, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point in their lives. Now, a new study offers hope by revealing that an existing drug may help treat this condition by targeting aging cells in the spine.
The research, published as a Reviewed Preprint in the journal eLife, focuses on a type of aging cell called a “senescent osteoclast.” These are cells that normally help break down and remove old or damaged bone. However, when they age and stop working properly, they can cause problems in the spine.
The researchers found that these senescent osteoclasts can lead to tiny holes in the bone at the ends of spinal vertebrae, called endplates. These holes allow new nerves to grow into areas where they usually don’t exist, which may lead to increased sensitivity and pain in the lower back.
To explore this idea, the scientists used mice that had signs of spine problems caused by aging or instability in the lower back. They discovered that the more senescent osteoclasts there were in the spine, the worse the pain and bone damage seemed to be.
They then tested a drug called Navitoclax, which is already known for its ability to remove aging cells in other parts of the body. When given to the mice, the drug successfully reduced the number of senescent osteoclasts in their spines. As a result, the mice experienced less back pain, moved around more easily, and showed healthier-looking bones in the spine.
When the scientists looked closely at the spinal bone tissue, they found that mice treated with Navitoclax had stronger, less porous endplates. There was also less separation between bones, which usually happens as the spine degenerates. This suggests that the drug may help prevent or even reverse some of the changes that happen with aging or spinal wear and tear.
Another important finding was that treated mice had fewer nerves and blood vessels growing into the endplate bone. This may help explain why their back pain was reduced. The study supports the idea that senescent osteoclasts are not just passive markers of aging, but active drivers of pain and degeneration in the spine.
While these findings are exciting, it’s important to remember that they come from animal studies. The drug has not yet been tested in people for back pain, and researchers stress that clinical trials are needed to make sure it’s safe and effective for this use.
Still, this study points to a promising new approach to treating lower back pain — not just by reducing symptoms, but by targeting one of its possible root causes. If further research confirms these results in humans, medications like Navitoclax could become a valuable tool for managing a condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
For now, this research opens the door to new possibilities and gives hope that we may one day be able to ease back pain by addressing the aging cells that contribute to it.
If you care about pain, please read studies about how to manage your back pain, and Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing common native American plant may help reduce diarrhea and pain.
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