Rescue of nucleus pulposus cells from an oxidative stress microenvironment via glutathione-derived carbon dots to alleviate intervertebral disc degeneration.

The senescence of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells (NPCs), which is induced by the anomalous accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a major cause of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). In this research, glutathione-doped carbon dots (GSH-CDs), which are novel carbon dot antioxidant nanozymes, were successfully constructed to remove large amounts of ROS for the maintenance of NP tissue at the physical redox level. After significantly scavenging endogenous ROS via exerting antioxidant activities, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity, GSH-CDs with good biocompatibility have been demonstrated to effectively improve mitochondrial dysfunction and rescue NPCs from senescence, catabolism, and inflammatory factors in vivo and in vitro.

N-Acetylcysteine-Derived Carbon Dots for Free Radical Scavenging in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is associated with oxidative stress induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) dynamic equilibrium disturbance. Nanozymes, as nanomaterials with enzyme-like activity, can regulate intro-cellular ROS levels. In this study, a new carbon dots nanozyme, N-acetylcysteine-derived carbon dots (NAC-CDs), is developed and proved to be an ideal antioxidant and anti-senescent agent in IVDD management.