Fig. 6

rDKK3 inhibited the activation of ASK1/JNK/p-38 signaling pathway in rats with neuropathic pain. a rDKK3 could increase the reduced protein expression level of DKK3 in neuropathic pain rats (^**p < 0.01 compared with Sham + Vehicle group, ^###p < 0.001 compared with SNI + Vehicle group, n = 6 in each group). b, c Western blot results indicated that the protein level of ASK1 in sham and SNI rats treated with Vehicle or rDKK3 had no significant change, while rDKK3 down-regulated the elevated protein expression level of p-ASK1 induced by neuropathic pain in the spinal cord (^**p < 0.01 compared with Sham + Vehicle group, ^###p < 0.001 compared with SNI + Vehicle group, n = 6 in each group). d, e Western blot results indicated that the protein level of JNK in sham and SNI rats applied with Vehicle or rDKK3 had no significant change, while rDKK3 down-regulated the increased protein expression level of p-JNK caused by neuropathic pain in the spinal cord (^****p < 0.0001 compared with Sham + Vehicle group, ^####p < 0.0001 compared with SNI + Vehicle group, n = 6 in each group). f, g Western blot result indicated that the protein level of p38 in sham and SNI rats administrated with Vehicle or rDKK3 had no significant change, while rDKK3 alleviated the increased protein expression level of p-p38 in the spinal cord of rats with neuropathic pain (^****p < 0.0001 compared with Sham + Vehicle group, ^####p < 0.0001 compared with SNI + Vehicle group, n = 6 in each group)