AimsChronic migraine (CM) is a common neurological disorder with complex pathogenesis. Evidence suggests that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) induces migraine-like attacks and may be potential a new target for migraine treatment, but the therapeutic results of targeting PACAP and its receptors are not uniform. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory effect of PACAP type I receptor (PAC1R) antagonist, PACAP6-38, on nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced central sensitization in a CM model.MethodsSprague–Dawley (SD) rats received repeated injections of NTG to construct a CM model. Mechanical and thermal thresholds were measured using Von Frey filaments and hot plate tests. C-Fos expression was measured by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining to assess the central sensitization. PACAP6-38 was intracerebrally injected into the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC), and then the changes in c-Fos, the synaptic-associated proteins, phospho-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (p-CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were detected. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Golgi-Cox staining were used to observe the ultrastructure of synapses and dendritic structures of TNC neurons.ResultsThe results showed that PACAP and PAC1R expression were significantly raised in the TNC after repeated NTG injections. Additionally, PACAP6-38 treatment alleviated nociceptive sensitization, inhibited NTG-induced overexpression of c-Fos and synaptic-associated proteins in the TNC of CM rat, restored aberrant synaptic structures. Furthermore, the expression of ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway was depressed by PACAP6-38.ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that abnormal synaptic structure in the TNC of CM, which could be reversed by inhibition of PAC1R via down-regulating the ERK/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway. PACAP6-38 improves NTG-induced central sensitization by regulating synaptic plasticity in the TNC of CM rat, which may provide new insights into the treatments targeting PACAP/PAC1R in migraine.