1. Copyright © 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized commercial reproduction of this slide is prohibited Supplemental PowerPoint Slides Minimally Invasive Induction of an Early Lumbar Disc Degeneration Model in Rhesus Monkeys YM Xi, J Kong, Y Liu, ZX Wang, Shan Ren, Zezheng Diao,YG Hu The Department of Spinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003,China

2. Copyright © 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized commercial reproduction of this slide is prohibited Supplemental PowerPoint Slides Objective: To establish an early and reproducible intervertebral disc degeneration model to provide a basis for studying intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods: Percutaneous puncture using a gauge 20 needle and 15 needle was made in different groups (Fig 1, Table1,2). MRI, Hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome, safranin O staining methods, and immunohistochemistry for type II collagen were informed in different time points. Results: little change in MRI, but histological evidence is significant in 20 needle puncture. At the same time, using 15 g needle, which caused early and relativley severe degeneration in MRI Fig 1. percutaneous puncture in rhesus monkey

3. Copyright © 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized commercial reproduction of this slide is prohibited Supplemental PowerPoint Slides Table 1. Groups for Percutaneous Puncture Surgery Table 2. Comparison of positive rate of nucleus pulposus cells in different groups P value comparing with group 3

4. Copyright © 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized commercial reproduction of this slide is prohibited Supplemental PowerPoint Slides Key Points The aim of this study was to establish an early and reproducible intervertebral disc degeneration model for studying intervertebral disc degeneration. Slowly progressive and mild disc degeneration can be induced by puncture using gauge 20 needles. This degeneration model is suitable for investigating disc degeneration and treatments for degenerated discs.