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. 2020 Aug 6;162(2):514–530. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002031

Figure 4.

Figure 4.

Effects of acupuncture on global DNA methylation levels in the PFC, PAG, hypothalamus, HIP, and AMG. Changes in global DNA methylation in the PFC (A), PAG (E), hypothalamus (I), HIP (M), and AMG (Q) after acupuncture (AP or CP) for 6 months (3 days/week); n = 6/group. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 vs sham group, #P < 0.05, ##P < 0.01, ###P < 0.001 vs PSNL group, and &&&P < 0.001 vs AP group in each brain area. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by the Newman–Keuls post hoc test. The data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. Representative graphs showing correlations between global DNA methylation levels in behavioral test results (von Frey test, EPM, and NOR) and each brain area: the PFC (B–D), PAG (E–H), hypothalamus (I–L), HIP (M–P), AMG (Q–T); n = 3/group. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were calculated. ANOVA, analysis of variance; AMG, amygdala; AP, acupuncture points; CP, control point; HIP, hippocampus; NOR, novel object recognition; PFC, prefrontal cortex; PAG, periaqueductal gray matter; PSNL, partial sciatic nerve ligation.