Research Article

A Study on COMP and CTX-II as Molecular Markers for the Diagnosis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Figure 1

The model of caudal vertebrae was completed by acupuncture. Caudal vertebra acupuncture: the experimental group (2–3 weeks old) rats were anesthetized by inhaled anesthesia: induced anesthesia with 3-4% isoflurane and maintained anesthesia with 1-2% isoflurane (flow rate 0.6-0.8 L/h). When the anesthesia took effect, relevant sites were located anatomically, and the caudal vertebra Co7/8 segment of the intervertebral disc was marked in the rats for the experiment. The arrow indicated the segment for the acupuncture. All male rats were selected to avoid the effect of estrogen on intervertebral disc degeneration ( in each group).