Rebamipide Protects Against Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Through
Suppression of NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Abstract
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a common chronic degenerative
and disabling spinal disease in which the inflammatory response plays a
crucial role. Rebamipide (REB) prevents gastric mucosal damage by
suppressing inflammatory cytokines via the NF-κB signaling pathway. The
aim of this study was to investigate how REB affects the pathological
process of IVD degeneration. In our study, nucleus pulposus tissue and
cells were obtained from patients and mice, and western blotting,
real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, histological
staining, and flow cytometry were used to identify the mechanism of REB
in TNF-α-induced IVD degeneration, demonstrating that TNF-α induced
lumbar disc degeneration and REB prevented lumbar disc degeneration
induced by the TNF-α pathway. REB inhibited TNF-α-mediated degradation
of the extracellular matrix and protected the inflammatory responses of
TNF-α-induced disc degeneration. Furthermore, a mechanistic study
verified that REB could suppress TNF-α-mediated disc degeneration
through the NF-κB signaling pathway. The role of REB in disc
degeneration in vivo was validated using a needle puncture model in
rats. Overall, REB inhibited lumbar disc degeneration by suppressing
inflammatory responses via the NF-κB signaling pathway. REB provides a
potential therapeutic treatment for back pain due to IVDD.