For this purpose, Pfirrmann's MRI grade scores were obtained for disc degeneration, and a quantitative molecular and histology analysis was used for (1) extracellular matrix components, including COL-1 and COL-2, biglycan, and decorin; (2) extracellular matrix regulatory factors, catabolic factors, and their inhibitors, including MMP-13, TIMP-1, and BMP-2. Here, MMP13 is linked to intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.