Figure 9.

Local activated ACE/Ang II accelerated intervertebral disc degeneration in the aging SHR model. (a) SO-FG staining of intervertebral disc in the rat NP tissue at the age of 6 and 12 months, respectively (n = 3). (b) Immunofluorescence results for the expression of MMP3 and collagen II in the rat NP tissue at the age of 12 months (n = 3). (c, d) TUNEL staining and quantified results for apoptotic NP cells in the rat NP tissue at the age of 12 months, respectively (n = 3). (e, f) Immunofluorescence results for the expression of Nrf2 and p65 in the rat NP tissue at the age of 12 months (n = 3). p < 0.05, ^∗∗p < 0.01, ^∗∗∗p < 0.001, ^∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001.