FIGURE 6.
Effects of EA on the protein levels of cAMP and 5-HT7R-associated PKA, ERK1/2 phosphorylation signaling pathway in dural 4th IS-injected rats. Results were averages of cAMP production as evaluated by ELISA (n = 5) (A,F). Representative Western blots of phosphorylated and total PKA (B,G), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) (C,H), CREB (D,I), as well as c-Fos (E,J). The densitometric analysis of phosphorylated and c-Fos protein levels detected from the TG and TNC of Con, IS, IS + SEA, IS + EA. One-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey test. Group values are indicated by mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. 5-HT7R, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)7 receptor; cAMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate; PKA, protein kinase A; ERK1/2, extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2; CREB, cAMP-responsive element-binding protein. TNC, trigeminal nucleus caudalis; TG, trigeminal ganglion; EA, electroacupuncture; IS, inflammatory soup; SEA, sham electroacupuncture; Con, control.