Figure 1

Disc degeneration and behavioral signs of low back pain in aging and SPARC-null mice. Anatomy: The disc height index measured in 15-month old mice is smaller than that in 3-month old mice (a). 4-month old SPARC-null mice show smaller average disc height compared to age-matched WT controls (f). Pain Behavior: Aging mice exhibit signs of axial discomfort (b), cold sensitivity (c), but not mechanical sensitivity (d) in the hindpaw, in addition to overall motor impairment (e) when compared to 3-month old mice. 4-month old SPARC-null animals show a behavioral profile similar to older WT mice (g-j). * = p < 0.05, ** = p < 0.01, One-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's test (aging cohorts), two-tailed student t-test (SPARC-null vs WT). n = 8-15/group. Error bars = S.E.M.