Lower back pain is one of the leading causes of pain and disability around the world. Around eight out of every ten people will experience it at some point in their lives.
While many people recover with rest, exercise, or physical therapy, others develop long-lasting pain that can make working, walking, and everyday activities much more difficult. Because current treatments often focus on easing symptoms rather than fixing the cause, researchers are searching for better solutions.
A new study has uncovered a promising approach that targets one of the possible causes of back pain instead of simply masking it. The research, published as a Reviewed Preprint in the journal eLife, suggests that removing certain aging cells from the spine could reduce pain and slow damage to the bones that support the back.
The scientists focused on cells called osteoclasts. These cells normally help keep bones healthy by breaking down old or damaged bone so new bone can replace it. However, like other cells in the body, osteoclasts can become old and stop functioning properly. These aging cells, known as senescent osteoclasts, remain in the body and may contribute to inflammation and tissue damage.
The researchers discovered that these aging osteoclasts can create tiny holes in the endplates, which are thin layers of bone found at the ends of the spinal vertebrae. These holes allow new nerves and blood vessels to grow into areas where they are not normally present. The extra nerve growth may make the spine much more sensitive to pain.
To investigate further, the team studied mice with age-related spinal damage and instability in the lower back. They found that animals with higher numbers of senescent osteoclasts also had more bone damage and showed stronger signs of back pain. This suggested that the aging cells were actively contributing to the disease rather than simply being a result of it.
The researchers then tested a medicine called Navitoclax. This drug has already attracted attention because it can remove aging cells in several parts of the body.
After the mice received Navitoclax, the number of senescent osteoclasts in their spines fell significantly. The treated mice moved more comfortably, appeared to experience less pain, and had healthier spinal bones than untreated animals.
Detailed examination of the spine showed additional improvements. The endplates became stronger and less porous, reducing the tiny openings that allow nerves and blood vessels to grow into the bone.
There was also less separation between spinal structures, a common sign of age-related degeneration. These findings suggest the drug may help protect the spine from further damage.
Another important observation was that fewer nerves and blood vessels entered the treated bone tissue. This may explain why the mice experienced less pain after treatment. The results support the idea that senescent osteoclasts are not simply markers of aging but may actively drive spinal degeneration and chronic lower back pain.
Although the findings are encouraging, the researchers emphasise that the work has so far been carried out only in animals. Navitoclax has not yet been proven to be a safe or effective treatment for lower back pain in people. Clinical trials will be needed before doctors know whether the same benefits can be achieved in human patients.
Even so, the study offers hope for millions of people living with chronic back pain. Instead of only reducing pain for a short time, future treatments based on removing harmful aging cells may be able to address one of the underlying causes of the condition.
If future human studies confirm these results, this approach could represent a major step forward in the treatment of lower back pain.
If you care about pain, please read studies about how to manage gout with a low-purine diet, and a guide to eating right for arthritis.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between processed foods and chronic diseases, and avoid these 8 foods to ease arthritis pain.
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