Fig. 4

Reflexive sensorimotor declines and median nerve inflammation. a Forepaw mechanical sensitivity, expressed as the force (in grams) of the smallest-sized filament eliciting a withdrawal reflex was recorded as the forepaw withdrawal threshold, was lower in 10-wk HRHF and 10-wk HRHF+TM animals, compared to FRC animals. b Hindpaw mechanical sensitivity did not differ between groups. c Reflexive grip strength was lower in 10-wk HRHF and 10-wk HRHF+TM animals, compared to FRC animals. d Quantification of the number of activated macrophages (CD68-immunopositive) in the median nerve at wrist level, showing higher numbers in both HRHF task groups than in FRC animals, and higher numbers in 10-wk HRHF+TM animals than in 10-wk HRHF rats. * and **: p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, compared to groups as shown. Mean + 95% CI is shown for: FRC rats (n = 10), TR-then-TM (n = 10 reach limbs), and 10-wk HRHF rats (n = 13 reach limbs) and 10-wk HRHF+TM rats (n = 8 reach limbs). e Representative images of CD68+ macrophages (green fluorescence) in median nerves at the level of the wrist, showing similar numbers in FRC and TR-then-TM rats, yet higher numbers in 10-wk HRHF and 10-wk HRHF+TM rats than in FRC rats (with the most in 10-wk HRHF+TM rats). Scale bar = 50 μm. DAPI was used a nuclear counterstain