Evidence mapPaperPMID 40530333Full record

ReviewFrontiers in cell and developmental biology2025

Chronotherapy and intervertebral disc degeneration: understanding the role of circadian rhythm in degenerative processes.

Cong Zhang, Rende Zhang, Guanghai Zhao, Zuolong Wu, Wei Song, Rui Ran, Kaisheng Zhou, Haihong Zhang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. The pivotal role and intervention strategies of BMAL1 mediated circadian clock dysregulation in intervertebral disc degeneration.Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.] · 2026
    Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Cong Zhang *Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital and Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Rende Zhang *Gansu Wuwei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuwei, China.
Guanghai ZhaoDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital and Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Zuolong WuDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital and Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Wei SongDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital and Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Rui RanDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital and Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Kaisheng ZhouDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital and Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Haihong ZhangDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital and Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and low back pain are prevalent issues globally, affecting a significant portion of the adult population. Recent research has highlighted the crucial role of circadian rhythms in the degenerative processes of intervertebral discs (IVDs). Circadian rhythms are regulated by a coordinated network of oscillators, consisting of a central clock system and various peripheral clock systems. These rhythms are influenced by environmental factors, particularly the light/dark cycle, and disruptions can lead to cumulative stress and imbalances within the body. The IVD tissue contains an autonomous oscillating peripheral clock, and evidence suggests that disruptions in these circadian rhythms can accelerate tissue aging and increase the risk of IDD. Studies have shown that reduced expression of clock genes, such as BMAL1, is an independent risk factor for IDD progression. Furthermore, circadian disruptions can imbalance anabolic and catabolic processes within IVDs, leading to tissue degeneration. Understanding the role of circadian rhythms in IDD may provide valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies for preventing or mitigating disc degeneration. The review explores the entrainment of circadian rhythms with external physiological signals and their impact on disc physiology. Notably, disruptions in circadian rhythms have been linked to accelerated disc degeneration, with implications for tissue aging, metabolic imbalances, and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, the paper discusses potential therapeutic strategies, including chronotherapy, which aims to synchronize treatment interventions with circadian rhythms to optimize outcomes in IDD management. Understanding the intricate interplay between circadian rhythms and IDD could pave the way for innovative treatment approaches, ultimately improving patient care.

Indexed as

biological progressBMAL-1chronotherapycircadian rhythmintervertebral disc degeneration

Identifiers

PMID40530333
PMCPMC12171443

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.