Scientists have developed a synthetic gel, inspired by the protective ‘slime’ barrier found in many animals, which could help recovery from slipped discs.
Slipped (herniated) discs occur when the cushions – or discs – between the bones that make up the spine slip or rupture, often resulting in back pain.
In some cases, the damaged discs need to be removed, but a person’s immune system can attack the leftover tissue after surgery, leading the researchers to look for better ways to manage pain and improve recovery.
The team, led by EARA member Uppsala University, Sweden, Soochow University, in Suzhou, China, and also involving the University of Aveiro, Portugal, therefore developed a synthetic gel, inspired by the slimy mucus coating (mucin) barrier that protects the cells, which line different surfaces within the body, in animals such as cows.
When the gel was applied under the skin of mice, as well as in rats with injured tails, it prevented further damage by preventing immune cells from being activated and attacking the discs.
Hongji Yan, at Uppsala, said: “This new approach offers hope for those suffering from back pain caused by disc herniation and may prevent further damage after removing herniated discs, potentially improving the quality of life for the patients.”
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