Cell-Free Fat Extract for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Novel Approach Using Adipose-Derived Biologic

<b>Background</b>: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major cause of chronic back pain. Recent studies suggest that ferroptosis, a form of cell death, contributes to the degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). This study explores a novel therapeutic strategy using cell-f...

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Main Authors: Chenyang Xu, Xianhao Zhou, Cheng Yang, Fanshangmin Zhou, Youzhuan Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1344
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author Chenyang Xu
Xianhao Zhou
Cheng Yang
Fanshangmin Zhou
Youzhuan Xie
author_facet Chenyang Xu
Xianhao Zhou
Cheng Yang
Fanshangmin Zhou
Youzhuan Xie
author_sort Chenyang Xu
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major cause of chronic back pain. Recent studies suggest that ferroptosis, a form of cell death, contributes to the degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). This study explores a novel therapeutic strategy using cell-free fat extract (CEFFE), rich in cytokines, to mitigate IVDD by inhibiting oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis. <b>Methods</b>: In vitro, NPC degeneration was induced by TNF-α/TBHP. The effects of CEFFE on matrix metabolism were evaluated using Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and high-density culture, with regenerative effects measured via CCK-8 assays. Ferroptosis was assessed by Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. In vivo, rats with caudal IVDD were treated with CEFFE for 4 weeks, and therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through imaging and histological analysis. <b>Results</b>: In vitro, CEFFE reduced TNF-α-induced inflammation and promoted matrix synthesis by inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB pathways. It also activated NRF2 to prevent TBHP-induced ferroptosis. In rats, CEFFE facilitated nucleus pulposus repair and significantly slowed disc degeneration. <b>Conclusions</b>: CEFFE is a promising strategy to delay IVDD progression by inhibiting ferroptosis, offering potential therapeutic benefits for disc degeneration.
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spelling doaj-art-5d214f945fd64865b022d70e38d8e31b2025-08-20T02:24:18ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-05-01136134410.3390/biomedicines13061344Cell-Free Fat Extract for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Novel Approach Using Adipose-Derived BiologicChenyang Xu0Xianhao Zhou1Cheng Yang2Fanshangmin Zhou3Youzhuan Xie4Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, China<b>Background</b>: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major cause of chronic back pain. Recent studies suggest that ferroptosis, a form of cell death, contributes to the degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). This study explores a novel therapeutic strategy using cell-free fat extract (CEFFE), rich in cytokines, to mitigate IVDD by inhibiting oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis. <b>Methods</b>: In vitro, NPC degeneration was induced by TNF-α/TBHP. The effects of CEFFE on matrix metabolism were evaluated using Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and high-density culture, with regenerative effects measured via CCK-8 assays. Ferroptosis was assessed by Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. In vivo, rats with caudal IVDD were treated with CEFFE for 4 weeks, and therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through imaging and histological analysis. <b>Results</b>: In vitro, CEFFE reduced TNF-α-induced inflammation and promoted matrix synthesis by inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB pathways. It also activated NRF2 to prevent TBHP-induced ferroptosis. In rats, CEFFE facilitated nucleus pulposus repair and significantly slowed disc degeneration. <b>Conclusions</b>: CEFFE is a promising strategy to delay IVDD progression by inhibiting ferroptosis, offering potential therapeutic benefits for disc degeneration.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1344IVDDferroptosisinflammationCEFFE
spellingShingle Chenyang Xu
Xianhao Zhou
Cheng Yang
Fanshangmin Zhou
Youzhuan Xie
Cell-Free Fat Extract for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Novel Approach Using Adipose-Derived Biologic
Biomedicines
IVDD
ferroptosis
inflammation
CEFFE
title Cell-Free Fat Extract for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Novel Approach Using Adipose-Derived Biologic
title_full Cell-Free Fat Extract for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Novel Approach Using Adipose-Derived Biologic
title_fullStr Cell-Free Fat Extract for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Novel Approach Using Adipose-Derived Biologic
title_full_unstemmed Cell-Free Fat Extract for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Novel Approach Using Adipose-Derived Biologic
title_short Cell-Free Fat Extract for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Novel Approach Using Adipose-Derived Biologic
title_sort cell free fat extract for the treatment of lumbar disc degeneration a novel approach using adipose derived biologic
topic IVDD
ferroptosis
inflammation
CEFFE
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1344
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AT chengyang cellfreefatextractforthetreatmentoflumbardiscdegenerationanovelapproachusingadiposederivedbiologic
AT fanshangminzhou cellfreefatextractforthetreatmentoflumbardiscdegenerationanovelapproachusingadiposederivedbiologic
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