Changes in the levels of phospho-ERK, phospho-p38, and phospho-JNK in the skin layers after acupuncture needling. (A–C) Phospho-ERK, phospho-p38, and phospho-JNK levels in the skin layers were determined at 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes after acupuncture needling by Western blot analysis. After acupuncture needling, the activation of phospho-ERK was increased more than double, compared to the CON group (A). The changes in phospho-p38 and phospho-JNK were small and not significant compared to ERK activation (B, C). (*P <.05, 1-way ANOVA followed by the Newman-Keuls test compared to the CON group; each n = 3). Error bars indicate the SEM.