Figure 4.

The IAA treatment induces hyperactivity of HPA axis in female but not male rats. (A) Crf mRNA expression in hypothalamus is increased in female rats with IAA-induced gastritis. (B) Gr mRNA expression in hypothalamus is reduced in female rats with IAA-induced gastritis. (C) Plasma levels of CORT are decreased in female rats with IAA-induced gastritis. The hypothalamic expressions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and plasma levels of corticosterone (CORT) were used to assess the HPA axis activity. IAA, iodoacetamide. Values are means ± S.E.M of six rats. ^*p < 0.05 was significantly different from control group of the same gender. ⁺p < 0.05 was significantly different from male control group.