Paclitaxel induces a decrease in IENF density at 35 days post–paclitaxel injection, which is prevented by nicotine administration at a dose of 24 mg/kg per day, s.c. (A) Paclitaxel at a dose of 8 mg/kg, i.p., significantly decreased IENF density compared with vehicle-saline and paclitaxel-nicotine groups. *P < 0.05 paclitaxel-saline versus vehicle-saline; #P < 0.05 paclitaxel-nicotine versus paclitaxel-saline. (B) Immunostained sections of hind paw epidermis represent the reduction of IENF density by paclitaxel and protection by nicotine. Scale bar, 20 μm. Original magnification, 40×. Nic, nicotine; Pac, paclitaxel; Sal, saline; Veh, vehicle. n = 8 per group; data are expressed as the mean ± S.E.M.