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

Figure 3

NAC reduces Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in the anterior pituitary of Wistar rats. NAC (150 mg/kg, oral route) was given daily for 18 consecutive days and analysis was made by immunohistochemistry. The panels show representative photomicrographs of pituitary expression of Nrf2 in (a) control and (b) NAC-treated rats and HO-1 in (c) control and (d) NAC-treated rats. The quantification of pixels associated with Nrf2 and HO-1 expression is shown in (e) and (f), respectively. Inserts represent negative controls. Yellow arrows indicate immunolabelling of Nrf2 (a, b) and HO-1 (c, d) in the anterior pituitary. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of 6 animals. This result is a representative of two independent assays. .

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