Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common and early-onset pathogenesis in the human lifespan that can increase the risk of low back pain. More clarification of the molecular mechanisms associated with the onset and progression of IDD is likely to help establish novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. Recently, mitochondria have been increasingly recognized as participants in regulating glycolytic metabolism, which has historically been regarded as the main metabolic pathway in intervertebral discs due to their avascular properties. Indeed, mitochondrial structural and functional disruption has been observed in degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and intervertebral discs. Multilevel and well-orchestrated strategies, namely, mitochondrial quality control (MQC), are involved in the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity, mitochondrial proteostasis, the mitochondrial antioxidant system, mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Here, we address the key evidence and current knowledge of the role of mitochondrial function in the IDD process and consider how MQC strategies contribute to the protective and detrimental properties of mitochondria in NP cell function. The relevant potential therapeutic treatments targeting MQC for IDD intervention are also summarized. Further clarification of the functional and synergistic mechanisms among MQC mechanisms may provide useful clues for use in developing novel IDD treatments.

椎间盘退变 (IDD) 是人类生命周期中常见的早发性发病机制，可增加腰痛的风险。更多地阐明与 IDD 的发病和进展相关的分子机制可能有助于建立新的预防和治疗策略。最近，线粒体越来越多地被认为是调节糖酵解代谢的参与者，由于其无血管特性，糖酵解代谢历来被认为是椎间盘的主要代谢途径。实际上，已经在退化的髓核 (NP) 细胞和椎间盘中观察到线粒体结构和功能破坏。多层次和精心策划的策略，即线粒体质量控制（MQC），参与线粒体完整性的维持，线粒体蛋白质稳态、线粒体抗氧化系统、线粒体动力学、线粒体自噬和线粒体生物发生。在这里，我们讨论线粒体功能在 IDD 过程中的作用的关键证据和当前知识，并考虑 MQC 策略如何促进线粒体在 NP 细胞功能中的保护和有害特性。还总结了针对 MQC 进行 IDD 干预的相关潜在治疗方法。进一步阐明 MQC 机制之间的功能和协同机制可能为开发新的 IDD 治疗提供有用的线索。我们讨论线粒体功能在 IDD 过程中的作用的关键证据和当前知识，并考虑 MQC 策略如何促进线粒体在 NP 细胞功能中的保护和有害特性。还总结了针对 MQC 进行 IDD 干预的相关潜在治疗方法。进一步阐明 MQC 机制之间的功能和协同机制可能为开发新的 IDD 治疗提供有用的线索。我们讨论线粒体功能在 IDD 过程中的作用的关键证据和当前知识，并考虑 MQC 策略如何促进线粒体在 NP 细胞功能中的保护和有害特性。还总结了针对 MQC 进行 IDD 干预的相关潜在治疗方法。进一步阐明 MQC 机制之间的功能和协同机制可能为开发新的 IDD 治疗提供有用的线索。