Fig. 4

a The expression of adiponectin in the subchondral bone area of the lumbar facet joints by western blotting. The results showed that adiponectin levels were significantly reduced in correlation with the degree of lumbar facet joint degeneration. Representative results from three experiments are shown. (NG: normal group; DG: degenerative group; SDG: severe degenerative group). b The grey value of the protein band was analysed by one-way ANOVA. The results showed significant differences in the three group. (NG: normal group, n = 9; DG: degenerative group, n = 9; SDG: severe degenerative group, p < 0.0001). c Determination of the immunohistochemical staining percentages was performed in the three groups by one-way ANOVA. The results showed that p < 0.0001 in NG compared to SDG and p < 0.05 in NG compared to DG and DG to SDG. d Adiponectin levels were significantly reduced in correlation with the degree of FJOA by qPCR. Determination of RQ values was performed by one-way ANOVA. The results showed that p < 0.0001 in the NG group compared to the SDG group, whereas p < 0.001 in NG compared to DG and DG to SDG. Additionally, * represents p < 0.05, ** represents p < 0.001, and *** represents p < 0.0001