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Intervertebral disc degeneration and aging: Shared molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions
Zhi-Peng Wang, Hong-Wei Zhang, Xi-Yun Zhao, Yuan-Zhen Li, Xiao-Gang Zhang, Da-Ping Qin, Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730020, Gansu Province, China
Rui Zhao, Da-Ping Qin, Clinical College of Chinese Medicine, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
Author contributions: Wang ZP conceptualized and designed the research, wrote the paper; Zhao XY, Li YZ and Qin DP visualized and performed data analysis; Zhao R searched the literature; Zhang HW revised the early version of the manuscript and supervised the review; Zhang XG revised manuscript; all the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: The author confirms that no AI tools (including but not limited to ChatGPT, Grammarly, DeepL, or other AI-based software) were used in any part of this study. The specific details are as follows: Each part of the text (abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, and conclusion) was not generated by AI; no AI tools were used for language polishing, translation, data analysis, or writing assistance; no AI tools were involved in the research design or result interpretation; all images in the manuscript were not generated by AI.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation Project, No. 82505367; Gansu Provincial Youth Talent Individual Project, No. 2025QNGR72; Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province, No. 24JRRA1037; The Longyuan Talent Program of the Organization Department of the Communist Party of Gansu Province (Issued by the Provincial Party Committee Talent Team), No. 11; and Youth Science and Technology Program of Lanzhou Bureau of Science and Technology, No. 2023-2-47 and No. 2023-2-48.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Hong-Wei Zhang, PhD, Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 732 Jiayuguan West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730020, Gansu Province, China. 961409730@qq.com
Received: March 12, 2026
Revised: April 19, 2026
Accepted: June 10, 2026
Published online: July 18, 2026
Processing time: 121 Days and 9.5 Hours
Revised: April 19, 2026
Accepted: June 10, 2026
Published online: July 18, 2026
Processing time: 121 Days and 9.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This review highlights the shared molecular mechanisms between intervertebral disc degeneration and aging, such as extracellular matrix degradation, apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. It explores their bidirectional relationship and discusses multi-target pharmacological interventions that show promise in slowing degeneration with favorable safety. The insights provide a theoretical basis for early intervention and precision treatment.