Antioxidant Treatment Induces Hyperactivation of the HPA Axis by Upregulating ACTH Receptor in the Adrenal and Downregulating Glucocorticoid Receptors in the Pituitary

Figure 5

NAC impairs dexamethasone-induced negative feedback of the HPA axis in Wistar rats. NAC (150 mg/kg, oral route) was given daily for 18 consecutive days. Some groups of animals were injected with dexamethasone (0.02 mg/kg, s.c.) starting 13 days after the beginning of NAC treatment, daily during five consecutive days. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of 5 animals. This result is a representative of two independent assays. and .