Fig. 6

Immunofluorescence identification of degenerating NG neurons in CAP-treated animals. a Colocalization of DiI-labeled neurons with NF-200-immunostained neurons in the NG. Seven days after DiI injection into the hepatic vagal branch in rats, NG was dissected and subjected to immunofluorescence staining for NF-200. b–e Immunofluorescence staining of TRPV1 and P2X2 proteins in the NG. Three days after CAP injection with a total of 100 mg/kg (CAP-L) or 200 mg/kg (CAP-H), NG sections were prepared for immunofluorescence staining for TRPV1 and P2X2 receptor proteins (b) or for cleaved form of caspase 3 with Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining (d). The number of neurons labeled with TRPV1 and caspase 3 proteins were quantified and plotted in c and e, respectively. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 (One way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc, n = 4). Scale bars in a, b, and d are 100 μm. f Eye wiping test in rats. Eye wipe frequency during 5 min period was measured and compared between CAP- and VEH-injected animals. ***p < 0.001, t = 10.74 (unpaired t-test, n = 4)