World Neurosurg
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Nucleus pulposus cells survive in a hypoxic, acidic, nutrient-poor, and hypotonic microenvironment. Consequently, they maintain low proliferation and undergo autophagy to protect themselves from cellular stress. Therefore, we aimed to identify autophagy-related biomarkers involved in intervertebral disc degeneration pathogenesis. ⋯ Nine hub genes were identified and a network of competing endogenous RNA associated with autophagy was established. They can be used as autophagy-related biomarkers of intervertebral disc degeneration and for further exploration.
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This study analyzed and explored the relationship between isthmic spondylolisthesis and disc degeneration by comparing the degree of disc degeneration in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis, lumbar disc herniation, and asymptomatic healthy individuals. ⋯ The results showed that the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis was lighter than that in patients with LDH, and even similar to that in healthy individuals. The occurrence of IS may have slowed down the degeneration of nonaffected segment intervertebral discs through certain factors.