Fig. 5

Inhibiting PAC1R with PACAP6-38 restored the aberrant neuronal dendritic spines via the ERK/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway in the CM rat model. A-D. Representative images of the dendritic spines in different groups. E. Golgi-Cox staining showed that the number of dendritic spines per 20 μm was significantly higher in the NTG + VEH group compared to the Saline + VEH group, and the effect was inhibited in the NTG + PA6-38 group. (F–H). Representative bands showed that the protein levels of p-ERK(F), p-CREB (J) and BDNF (H) were significantly elevated in the NTG + VEH group compared to the Saline + VEH group. After PACAP6-38 treatment, the expression levels of these proteins were significantly reduced. Mean ± SEM, n = 3/group. One-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s 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. Abbreviations: PA6-38, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide 6–38; NTG, nitroglycerin; CM: chronic migraine