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Stem cells derived from cartilage endplate (CEP) cells (CESCs) repair intervertebral disc (IVD) injury; however, the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we evaluated whether CESCs could transdifferentiate into nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) via autocrine exosomes and subsequently inhibit IVD degeneration. Exosomes derived from CESCs (CESC-Exos) were extracted and identified by ultra-high-speed centrifugation and transmission electron microscopy. The effects of exosomes on the invasion, migration, and differentiation of CESCs were assessed. The exosome-activating hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α/Wnt pathway was investigated using lenti-HIF-1α and Wnt agonists/inhibitors in cells and gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis in normal and degenerated human CEP tissue. The effects of GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4) on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β expression and on the invasion, migration, and transdifferentiation of CESCs were investigated using lenti-GATA4, TGF-β agonists, and inhibitors. Additionally, IVD repair was investigated by injecting CESCs overexpressing GATA4 into rats. The results indicated that CESC-Exos promoted the invasion, migration, and differentiation of CESCs by autocrine exosomes via the HIF-1α/Wnt pathway. Additionally, increased HIF-1α enhanced the activation of Wnt signaling and activated GATA4 expression. GATA4 effectively promoted TGF-β secretion and enhanced the invasion, migration, and transdifferentiation of CESCs into NPCs, resulting in promotion of rat IVD repair. CESCs were also converted into NPCs as endplate degeneration progressed in human samples. Overall, we found that CESC-Exos activated HIF-1α/Wnt signaling via autocrine mechanisms to increase the expression of GATA4 and TGF-β1, thereby promoting the migration of CESCs into the IVD and the transformation of CESCs into NPCs and inhibiting IVDD.

Purpose We aimed to explore the role of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (PELIF). Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective, observational, cohort study on 91 patients who underwent PELIF for degenerative disc disease. The primary outcomes were postoperative opioid consumption, hospital length of stay (LOS), and hospital cost. Results Forty-six patients comprised the ERAS group, and 45 patients comprised the pre-ERAS group (control group). The groups had comparable demographic characteristics. Good compliance with the ERAS pathway was observed in the ERAS group. Patients in the ERAS group used significantly fewer morphine equivalents compared with the pre-ERAS group (25.0 vs 33.3, respectively; p = 0.017). Hospital LOS did not decrease significantly in the ERAS group compared with the pre-ERAS group (3.1days vs 3.4 days, respectively; p = 0.096). Likewise, there was no significant difference in hospital cost between the pre-ERAS group and the ERAS group ($10,598.60 vs $10,384.50, respectively; p = 0.468). Conclusion In the present study, the benefit of ERAS in the context of PELIF was limited. Although a multidisciplinary ERAS protocol can improve analgesia and decrease opioid consumption, no significant reduction in hospital LOS and cost was observed.

Objective: Endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) has gained increasing popularity among spine surgeons. However, with the use of fluoroscopy, intraoperative radiation exposure remains a major concern. Here, we aim to introduce Endo-TLIF assisted by O-arm-based navigation and compare the results between O-arm navigation and fluoroscopy groups.Methods: Sixty-four patients were retrospectively analyzed from May 2019 to September 2020; the nonnavigation group comprised 34 patients, and the navigation group comprised 30 patients. Data on radiation dose, blood loss, postoperative drains, surgery time, complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were collected. Clinical outcomes were evaluated from postoperative data such as fusion rate, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and visual analogue scale (VAS). Radiation dose and surgery time were selected as primary outcomes; the others were second outcomes.Results: All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. No significant differences were detected in intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative drains, hospital LOS, or complications between the 2 groups. The radiation dose was significantly lower in the navigation group compared with the nonnavigation group. The time of cannula placement and pedicle screw fixation was significantly reduced in the navigation group. No significant differences were detected between the clinical outcomes in the 2 groups (VAS and ODI scores).Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that O-arm-assisted Endo-TLIF is efficient and safe. Compared with fluoroscopy, O-arm navigation could reduce the radiation exposure and surgical time in Endo-TLIF surgery, with similar clinical outcomes. However, the higher doses exposed to patients remains a negative effect of this technology.