Fig. 4. Dexmedetomidine downregulated P2X7R expression and inhibited ERK phosphorylation in the spinal cord in CCI rats. (A) Western blotting showed that the relative level of P2X7R protein was significantly higher in the CCI+NS group than in the sham group (n=5, mean±SEM, **p<0.01, ANOVA). However, compared with P2X7R protein expression in the CCI+NS group, the P2X7R expression level was significantly downregulated in the CCI+DEX group (n=5, mean±SEM, ##p<0.01, ANOVA). (B) Western blotting showed that there was no significant difference in the total ERK protein levels among the sham group, CCI+NS group, or CCI+DEX group (n=4, mean±SEM, p>0.05, ANOVA). (C) Western blotting showed that the relative level of PERK protein was significantly higher in the CCI+NS group than in the sham group (n=5, mean±SEM, *p<0.05, ANOVA). However, compared with the PERK protein expression in the CCI+NS group, the PERK protein expression level was significantly downregulated in the CCI+DEX group (n=5, mean±SEM, #p<0.05, ANOVA). CCI, chronic constriction injury; NS, normal saline; DEX, dexmedetomidine.
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