Density of CREB and p-CREB immunoreactivity 24 hr and 1 week after the second intramuscular injection of pH 4.0 or 7.2 control. A, B, CREB and p-CREB increase in the spinal cord dorsal horn bilaterally 24 hr after the second intramuscular injection of pH 4.0 saline compared with pH 7.2 saline injections. C, D, CREB and p-CREB do not significantly differ 1 week after the second intramuscular injection of pH 4.0 compared with pH 7.2 saline injections. I–II, Laminas I and II; III–VI, laminas III–VI; 24 h, 24 hr; 1 wk, 1 week. Data are presented as the average with the SEM. *p, significantly different from the pH 7.2 control group; p < 0.05.