Figure 4

Effect of intrathecally injected mesenchymal stem cells on mechanical hypersensitivity after partial sciatic nerve ligation. Sham- (A,B) or partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL)- (E,F) operated animals either injected with vehicle (“no cells”) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs; “cells”) were tested by using von Frey filaments for 20 days after surgery. Paw withdrawal thresholds (PWT) of the ipsilateral (A or E) or contralateral (B or F) hindpaws are expressed as percentage of the baseline PWT. (C,D and G,H) Area under the curve (AUC) analysis of the corresponding graphs, analysed by two-tailed student’s t-test; data shown are mean values with SEM. Day-by-day differences between groups were calculated by whole sample t-tests with * at least P < 0.05. Each group consisted of 9 to 11 animals.