Electroacupuncture Stimulates Remodeling of Extracellular Matrix by Inhibiting Apoptosis in a Rabbit Model of Disc Degeneration

Figure 2

MRI image of the lumbar spine and the Pfirrmann’s classification grade. Representative T2-weighted sagittal MRI of the nucleus pulposus at the 56-day time point shows different signal intensity in control group (a), sham group (b), compression group (c), and EA group (d). (e), (f), (g), and (h) are the corresponding MRI axial scan, respectively, to (a), (b), (c), and (d). Different signal intensity in the disc is depicted with arrows. Change in disc degeneration of four groups (i). Pfirrmann’s classification based on disc height and signal intensity from grade 1 to 5 was used to grade the disc degeneration of the rabbit discs. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD (ANOVA); , compared with the control group; ^#, compared with sham compressed group; ⁺, compared with compression group in 56 days and the control group; ^&, compared with 28 days in EA group (see [9]).

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