Self-assembled antioxidant enzyme-mimicking hydrogel: Targeting oxidative stress and macrophage organization for improving degenerated intervertebral discs.

ABSTRACT: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major contributor to lower back pain. At present, antioxidant therapy is regarded as one of the most promising strategies for treating IVDD, due to the critical role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in its pathogenesis. Herein, we presented a self-assembled hydrogel, termed MnGAHs, formed through the crossing of manganese ions (Mn²⁺) and glycyrrheic acid (GA), which possessed the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The obtained MnGAHs effectively scavenge ROS, reducing oxidative stress levels and alleviating the senescence of nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NPMSC), thereby mitigating IVDD. Furthermore, MnGAHs also promoted macrophage polarization towards M2 pheno

SUBMITTER: Fu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11923825 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature