Figure 3. Melatonin treatment increased the rearing behavior. Rearing behavior in an open arena was measured 24 h before (-1) and 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after narrowing of the spinal cord canal. Each point represents the mean ± SE for 9-11 rats. *P < 0.05 compared to the vehicle-treated group (independent Student t-test). ⁺P < 0.0001 compared to sham-operated group from vehicle-treated animals at all times after narrowing of the spinal cord canal (ANOVA with the Duncan post hoc test). No difference was observed between the 35%-V and 50%-V groups (P > 0.05). 35% = 35% narrowing group; 50% = 50% narrowing group. Open symbols = vehicle-treated groups; filled symbols = melatonin-treated groups.