Abstract: p38 signaling pathway is an important branch of mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK)-mediated signal transduction pathway. It plays pivotal roles in various physiological and pathological events, such as inflammation, cell stress, apoptosis, cell cycle and growth. Previous research in osteoarthritis, p38 participation was found in the inflammatory factors activate, cartilage cell apoptosis etc. Disc degeneration, also associated with inflammatory response, apoptosis and pathological changes which p38 MAPK signaling pathways role is not clear. Some reports about this area are reviewed in this article.

Key words: p38, mitogen-activated protein kinase, disc degeneration, review