Figure 2.

High OCN and Runx2 expression in the Intervertebral disc degeneration rat model. (A) Protein levels of leptin, OCN and Runx2, from the intervertebral discs of three‐ and 9‐month‐old rats with or without surgery, as determined using Western blot analysis. CEP protein extracts from 3‐ and 9‐month‐old rats (n = 3 for each) were resolved using 10% SDS‐PAGE and probed with leptin, OCN and Runx2 antibodies, using β‐actin as an internal control. (B) RNA levels of leptin, OCN and Runx2 in 3‐ and 9‐month‐old rats (n = 3 for each) were assayed using quantitative real‐time PCR. Relative units of RNA expression for 3‐month‐old rats were normalized to 1. Asterisks indicate significant differences between treatments (P < 0.05). (C) Leptin, OCN and Runx2 were detectable in the surgery group and non‐surgery group after 9 months. Scale bar, 25 mm. *P < 0.05, versus Control.