A novel nanotherapeutic strategy: rescuing nucleus pulposus cells from fatty acid metabolic disorder and pyroptosis through ACOT13 by Chinese herbal formula nanoparticles

Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread global health concern that profoundly impairs patients' quality of life and productivity. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is considered a major pathological factor in low back pain, yet the underlying mechanisms of IVDD remain incompletely understood. Current treatment strategies primarily focus on symptomatic relief through medication or surgical removal of degenerated tissue, lacking effective interventions that can reverse the degenerative process. This study investigates the role of fatty acid metabolism in IVDD and proposes a novel therapeutic strategy. Through single-cell sequencing and multi-omics analysis of clinical samples, we identified ACOT13 as a key regulator of fatty acid metabolism. We demonstrated that under pathological conditions, ACOT13 inhibits the AMPK/ACC signaling pathway, leading to disrupted fatty acid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequently, pyroptosis, which accelerates IVDD progression. Furthermore, we developed an innovative self-assembled nanoparticles based on a traditional Chinese medicine formula. Employing molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidate the self-assembly mechanism, identifying the core constituents and establishing the key roles of hydrophobic interactions, π-π stacking, and hydrogen bonding as the driving forces. Moreover, we revealed that this nano-formulation suppresses ACOT13 function, activates the AMPK/ACC pathway, and improves fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial function, thereby suppressing pyroptosis and ultimately alleviating IVDD progression. In summary, this study explores a novel mechanism of IVDD from the perspective of fatty acid metabolism and identifies key active components (N-QJZG) from a traditional Chinese medicine decoction, providing new insights for IVDD treatment and promoting the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine research.