Fig. 5. Nerve conduction blockade does not reverse p38 activation in spinal microglia. Number of phospho-p38 (p-p38)–immunoreactive cells in the medial superficial (laminae I–III) spinal cord with posttreatment of bupivacaine microspheres. Bupivacaine microspheres were applied to the sciatic nerve 2 days after spared nerve injury (SNI).  P > 0.05 , t  test (n = 4). All of the rats were transcardially perfused 3 days after surgery.