SNL-induced tactile hypersensitivity and neuronal loss in RVM. A, Paw withdrawal thresholds, measured by von Frey filaments, ipsilateral to the ligation were significantly decreased compared with those in sham-operated rats or to those observed on the contralateral side in SNL rats (*p < 0.05; two-way ANOVA). B, Significantly fewer Nissl-stained neurons were observed ipsilateral to SNL (*p < 0.05, two-way ANOVA). C, SNL resulted in no significant differences in the number of neurons in the facial nucleus (p > 0.05, two-way ANOVA). D, SNL resulted in a significant decrease in the number of NeuN-labeled neurons ipsilateral to the surgery (*p < 0.05, two-way ANOVA).