Mechanisms by which mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interaction stress mediates activation of inflammatory vesicles in nerve roots of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation rabbits modulated by acupotomy

• Acupotomy intervention significantly reduces apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion cells in rabbits with lumbar disc herniation. • Acupotomy downregulates NLRP3, MAMs-related proteins (IP3R, GRP75, VDAC1), ER stress markers (GRP78, CHOP), and TXNIP, while upregulating MFN2. • Acupotomy decreases Ca2+ influx and reactive oxygen species levels, and reduces mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contact. • Acupotomy inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome assembly by modulating mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interaction stress, providing a novel therapeutic target.