In partnership with
🔬TODAY’S BREAKTHROUGH
Low back pain is a common symptom of aging as discs degenerate. New research shows that a common regenerative treatment, platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs), can reverse features of aging in human disc cells.
The Discovery:
Hicham Drissi and his team discovered that PDGFs can suppress cellular senescence in human cells from aged, degenerated intervertebral discs. By reactivating genes involved in cell division and repair, this approach offers a new path to restore the discs' health, potentially providing a powerful new therapeutic option for treating chronic back pain.
The Science:
The study found that PDGF treatment suppressed genes related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, which are all hallmarks of senescence.
At the same time, it upregulated genes for DNA repair and the cell cycle, suggesting the cells were shifting toward a more functional, proliferative state.
The treatment helped rescue cells from permanent cell-cycle arrest, providing a potential way to restore function without eliminating the cells entirely, unlike senolytics.
This is the first time the anti-senescent effects of PDGFs have been shown in human disc cells, offering a biological explanation for how platelet-rich plasma might help with back pain.
Your Action:
While this is an early discovery, it sheds light on disc health. Support your spine by maintaining good posture, staying active, and strengthening your core muscles. Consult a medical professional for therapies like platelet-rich plasma, which is already in use for back pain and may work through these rejuvenating pathways.
Bottom Line:
Senescence may not be a one-way street, and molecular signals like PDGFs could restore function to aging discs.
Source:
Senescence: Returning aging cells to productivity, eLife, Rachana S Vaidya and Simon Y Tang, July 8, 2025
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.107777
How was today’s newsletter?
A Quick Favor:
We kindly ask you to check out the sponsor(s) that made this newsletter possible. Your support helps us continue sharing valuable insights and empowering your wellness journey.
Finally, a powerful CRM—made simple.
Attio is the AI-native CRM built to scale your company from seed stage to category leader. Powerful, flexible, and intuitive to use, Attio is the CRM for the next-generation of teams.
Sync your email and calendar, and Attio instantly builds your CRM—enriching every company, contact, and interaction with actionable insights in seconds.
With Attio, AI isn’t just a feature—it’s the foundation.
Instantly find and route leads with research agents
Get real-time AI insights during customer conversations
Build AI automations for your most complex workflows
Join fast growing teams like Flatfile, Replicate, Modal, and more.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK
— Capilli Eternal
Disclaimer:
This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen.