An unusual method for treating back pain has been found

Medical breakthrough: eliminating "zombie cells" may permanently solve back pain problems

A revolutionary discovery by scientists from McGill University could change the approach to treating chronic lower back pain. Researchers have found that removing aging "zombie cells" from the body can eliminate the root cause of this common ailment. The results of the study, published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, open new horizons in the fight against pain.

So-called senescent cells or "zombie cells" gradually accumulate in the spinal discs with age and as tissue damage occurs. These cells not only inhibit the body's natural recovery processes but also provoke inflammation and pain sensations.

Having hypothesized a connection between the accumulation of aging cells and back pain, the scientific team conducted an experiment using two drugs: the natural compound o-vanillin and the anti-cancer drug RG-7112. Researchers applied these substances both separately and in combination.

The results were impressive: during the eight-week treatment course, the drugs effectively cleared the laboratory mice's spines of "zombie cells" and even managed to slow down or reverse degenerative processes in the spinal discs. Although each drug showed a positive effect, the best results were achieved when they were used together.

Interestingly, o-vanillin was included in the study almost by accident. Scientists noticed the anti-inflammatory properties of this natural compound and decided to test its therapeutic potential, which turned out to be quite significant.

The researchers' future plans include improving the structure of o-vanillin to increase its duration of action in the body and conducting clinical trials on humans. Scientists also suggest that the combination of o-vanillin with RG-7112 may be effective in treating other age-related diseases, including arthritis and osteoporosis.