Fig. 7

IGK@SeNP protects the nucleus pulposus in needle puncture-induced IDD rats. A Treatment schedule of animal experiments. Two weeks after surgery, the IDD model was validated by MRI. PBS, IGK, SeNP, and IGK@SeNP were injected weekly thereafter. Imaging examinations were performed at weeks 4 and 8. B X-ray images of rat coccygeal spines at the 4th and 8th-week post-surgery. C Intervertebral heights of rat coccygeal spines measured on the X-ray. D T2-weighted MRI of coccygeal discs at the 4th and 8th-week post-surgery. E Pfirrmann grade scores of coccygeal discs measured on MRI. F, G HE and SF staining of rat coccygeal discs. Glycosaminoglycans are shown with safranin O. Scale bar = 1 mm. H Histological grade scores of coccygeal discs at the 4th and 8th-week post-surgery. n = 5, mean ± SD. *p < 0.05 compared to the IDD group, †p < 0.05 compared to the IGK group