Fig. 4. Comparison of epidural and intraperitoneal administration of dexmedetomidine at P21 ( A ), P10 ( B ), and P3 ( C ). The change in threshold of the ipsilateral inflamed paw versus time is shown after epidural (ED dex; n = 6–8) or intraperitoneal (intraperitoneal dex; n = 4) administration of dexmedetomidine. Significant differences between the two routes were seen 15 and 30 min after administration. At each age, the reduction in threshold produced by inflammation was not altered by intraperitoneal dexmedetomidine * P < 0.05, two-tailed Student t test.