Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have developed a gel inspired by cow mucus for patients with herniated discs.
By adding mucin gel immediately after surgery, a protective barrier can be formed around the discs to prevent the immune system from attacking the remaining disc tissue. This helps keep the discs intact and reduces the risk of further damage.
“This new approach offers hope for those suffering from back pain caused by herniated discs, and may prevent further damage after herniated discs are removed, improving patients’ quality of life,” says Hongjie Yan, a researcher at the Department of Medical Cell Biology at Uppsala University and the Center for Advancement of Integrated Medical Sciences and Engineering at Karolinska Institutet, whose study was published in the journal Advance Science on August 29.
Mucins, a class of glycoproteins, have emerged as an interesting research topic for biomedical applications, particularly due to their pivotal role in regulating the mammalian immune system. These glycoproteins are the main components of mucus, a gel-like substance with elastic, gel-like properties that acts as a protective barrier, providing hydration, lubrication, and protection to various surfaces.
herniated disc
The discs in your spine are made up of a frame-like outer band called the annulus fibrosus that contains a gelatinous substance. When pressure is applied to these discs, the gel inside can push through a herniation or weak point into the outer covering, causing the weak part to bulge out like a balloon and come out between the vertebrae and press on the nerves. A slipped disc can irritate the nerve roots that come out of the spinal cord, causing pain or numbness in an arm or leg.
A herniated disc is a common problem that can cause severe pain and lead to poor spinal function. Many people need to have their herniated discs surgically removed to relieve pressure on the nerves in the spine. After surgery, most patients receive treatment with anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections to control pain and swelling. However, there is currently no treatment that prevents the immune system from attacking the remaining disc tissue, which can worsen the injury and cause more pain. This highlights a gap in post-operative care for herniated discs, where new treatments that focus on controlling the immune response could help improve recovery and reduce pain in the long term.
In the new study, the researchers explored an innovative post-operative care solution aimed at preventing further damage after surgical removal of herniated discs. They developed a synthetic mucin gel that suppresses the activity of immune cells at sites of infection to prevent them from being recognized. When applied to the surgical site, the gel prevents further damage to the discs by stopping the immune cells from attacking the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs thanks to its immunosuppressive properties. In contrast, traditional physical barriers such as alginate gels failed to provide this level of protection, the study showed.
“This approach could have a significant impact on surgical procedures,” Hongjie Yan concludes, according to EurekAlert. “A simple injection of mucin gel into the surgical site could improve patient outcomes, reduce the risk of long-term complications, and increase the success rate of disc surgery.”