Fig. (2) Effect of complement depletion by CVF on hyperalgesia in rats following sciatic nerve ligation. Sham treated rats (no nerve ligation) showed no increase in pain sensitivity. Sciatic nerve ligation followed by saline injections showed a significant increase in pain sensitivity through the course of the experiment. Pain sensitivity in rats treated with CVF before and after surgery was essentially identical to untreated rats, while injection of CVF into saline-treated rats on day 4 showed a decrease in hyperalgesia lasting at least 3 days. (Data from: Nie et al., 2007 and printed with the permission of the author.)