Fig. 3

PAC1R inhibitor PACAP6-38 alleviated central sensitization and reduced neuronal activation in the TNC of CM rat model. A-C. PACAP6-38 treatment ameliorated the decreased mechanical (A-B) and thermal (C) thresholds after CM. Mean ± SEM, n = 6/group. Two-way ANOVA with the Bonferroni post hoc test, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 compared with saline + vehicle group, ^&p < 0.05, ^&&p < 0.01, ^&&&p < 0.001 compared with NTG + vehicle group. D. Representative western blot bands and densitometric quantification of c-Fos in different groups. E–F. Representative micrographs (E) and quantitative analysis (F) of c-Fos (red) staining in TNC. The nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue). Mean ± SEM, n = 3/group. One-way ANOVA, Dunnett; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 compared with saline + vehicle group, ^&p < 0.05, ^&&p < 0.01, ^&&&p < 0.001 compared with NTG + vehicle group. Abbreviations: PA6-38, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide 6–38; NTG, nitroglycerin; CM: chronic migraine