In the IDD cell model, the apoptosis percentage of HNPCs was obviously increased (P < 0.001), both PPARγ and pioglitazone reduced the apoptosis percentage of HNPCs (P < 0.05), and pioglitazone increased the reduction of the apoptosis rate of HNPCs induced by PPARγ (Fig. 2E, F, P < 0.05). This evidence concerns the gene PPARG and intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.