Confocal images showed coexpression and distribution of CXCR4 and GFAP, CXCR4 and c-fos, and the expression of c-fos, CXCR4, and GFAP in the L3-L5 spinal cord dorsal horn in rats with STZ-induced DNP at 5 weeks of diabetes and in control rats receiving saline at 5 weeks. (a, b) Double-immunostaining for c-fos (green (a) (A and E)), GFAP (green (b) (A and E)), and CXCR4 (red, B and F) in the spinal dorsal horn after STZ-induced diabetes at 5 weeks. C and G were merged images of A and B or E and F separately (original magnification: 200×, scale bar A–C, E–G 20 μm). Merged and enlarged images were shown in D and H (original magnification: 400×, scale bar 10 μm). Immunostaining for c-fos (a) (A, E), GFAP (b) (A, E), and CXCR4 (B, F) of the spinal cord dorsal horn was determined at 5 weeks after STZ-induced diabetes. Besides, quantitative analysis of c-fos (c), GFAP (d), and CXCR4 (e) of the intensities at 5 weeks. Quantification of the coexpression of CXCR4 and c-fos (f) and CXCR4 and GFAP (g). All data are indicated to be means ± SD. ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, and ∗∗∗P < 0.001 in relative to saline group. n = 6/group. .