Low back pain is a common disorder. Pathological innervation and intervertebral disc degeneration are two major factors associated with this disease. Semaphorin 3A, originally known for its potent inhibiting effect on axonal outgrowth, is recently found to correlate with disease activity and histological features in some skeletal disorders. Based on its effects on innervation and vascularization, as well as enzyme secretion, we presume that semaphorin 3A may act as a potential target for low back pain.

Hypothesis:

Based on the effects of semaphorin 3A on innervation and vascularization, as well as on enzyme secretion in the skeletal system, coupled with the understanding of pathophysiology of low back pain, we hypothesize that semaphorin 3A may be a potential therapeutic target for low back pain.

Evaluation of the Hypothesis:

It has been observed in both animal and human studies that with the progression of degeneration, sensory nerve fibres which require a low level of chemical and mechanical stimuli to trigger pain begin to innervate normally anural and avascular areas.
Research by Mantyh et al. showed that the administration of anti-nerve growth factors dramatically block the sprouting of these fibers, therefore significantly inhibited pain in mice. Therefore, an approach to inhibit pathological neural and vascular innervation in degenerative vertebral discs represents a new potential for pain management and treatment.

Media contact:

John Robert
Managing Editor
Pain Management and Therapy
Mail ID: Painmanagement@emedscholar.com