Table 4

L* a* b* color change of the plug cartilage in groups H and F

Parameter
Group H
Group F
P valuea

L* value
57.5 ± 2.4b
61.2 ± 2.3
P = 0.02
L* value/control
62.3 ± 2.0
62.9 ± 2.3





a* value
3.7 ± 0.7b
2.4 ± 0.8
P = 0.007
a* value/control
2.5 ± 0.8
2.0 ± 1.0





b* value
0.3 ± 1.8b
-1.1 ± 1.7b
NS
b* value/control
6.2 ± 1.5
6.8 ± 1.4


Data are mean ± standard deviation. aP values based on Mann-Whitney U-test, group H versus F, 12 weeks. bP < 0.05 versus control. NS, not significant.

Hattori et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007 9:R88   doi:10.1186/ar2287