Fig. 3.

ACTH expression is downregulated in the pituitary after BDL. Rats underwent BDL surgery, and the pituitary was dissected at various times postsurgery. A: expression of the precursor peptide proopiomelanocortin (POMC) assessed by real-time PCR. B: ACTH protein expression assessed by immunoblotting. Values are means ± SE; n = 4. *P < 0.05 vs. sham. C and D: ACTH levels in pituitary lysates and serum, respectively, assessed using commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Values are means ± SE; n = 5. *P < 0.05 vs. sham.