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Abstract
As an important part of the spinal column, the intervertebral disc (IVD) plays an
important role in the intervertebral juncture and spinal movement in general. IVD
degeneration (IVDD), which mimics disc ageing but at an accelerated rate, is a common
and chronic process that results in severe spinal symptoms, such as lower back pain.
It is generally assumed that lower back pain caused by IVDD can also develop secondary
conditions, including spinal canal stenosis, spinal segmental instability, osteophyte
formation, disc herniation and spinal cord and nerve root compression. Over the past
few years, many researchers around the world have widely studied the relevance between
oestrogen and IVDD, indicating that oestrogen can effectively alleviate IVDD development
by inhibiting the apoptosis of IVD cells. Oestrogen can decrease IVD cell apoptosis
in multiple ways, including the inhibition of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and
TNF-α, reducing catabolism because of inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, upregulating
integrin α2β1 and IVD anabolism, activating the PI3K/Akt pathway, decreasing oxidative
damage and promoting autophagy. In this article, we perform an overview of the literature
regarding the antiapoptotic effect of oestrogen in IVDD.