Fig. 8

The IOD of Col-I (a), Col-II (b), Aggrecan (c), MMP-13 (d), and ADAMTS-4 (e) in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus. Compared with the Sham + V group, the levels of aggrecan and Col-II were significantly lower, and MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and Col-I were significantly higher in the OVX + V, PLF + V, and OVX + PLF + V groups in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrous. OVX + PLF + sCT group showed significantly higher levels of Col-II and aggrecan and lower levels of MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and Col-I in comparison with OVX + PLF + V group. Note: *P < 0.05 vs. Sham + V group; ^□ P < 0.05 vs. OVX + V group; ^# P < 0.05 vs. PLF + V group; ^■ P < 0.05 vs. OVX + PLF + V group