The effect of Dex on hypothalamic NPR-A expression and cGMP content in the water-deprived rats.

<p>[<b>A</b>], [<b>B</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on hypothalamic NPR-A expression in the water-deprived rats. [<b>C</b>] Effect of Dex on hypothalamic cGMP content in the water-deprived rats. n = 8 for each group. *<0.05 compared with vehicle. [<b>D</b>], [<b>E</b>] NPR-A positive neurons visualized by immunofluorescence in the hypothalamus (white arrows denote increased NPR-A positive neurons) in the water-deprived rats. Abbreviations: RCh, retrochiasmatic nucleus; sox, Supraoptic decussation; 3V, third ventricle. [<b>F</b>] Schematic drawing of a coronal section of the rat brain (from ref. <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0015607#pone.0015607-Paxinos1" target="_blank">[37]</a>) at the level shown in [D] and [E]. The area defined by the square is shown in [D] and [E].</p

The effect of Dex pretreatment on plasma ANP and hypothalamic ANP content in the water-deprived rats.

<p>[<b>A</b>] Effect of 6-hour Dex pretreatment on plasma ANP levels in water-deprived rats; *<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with low dose of Dex. [<b>B</b>] Effect of 24-hour Dex pretreatment on plasma ANP levels in water-deprived rats; *<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with low dose of Dex. [<b>C</b>] Effect of 24-hour Dex pretreatment on hypothalamic ANP contents in water-deprived rats; n = 10 for each group.</p

Reversal of the effects of Dex on body fluid metabolism by RU486 in the water-deprived rats.

<p>[<b>A</b>] RU486 reversed the effect of Dex on urinary volume in the water-deprived rats. #<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle. [<b>B</b>] RU486 reversed the effect of Dex on water intake over 12-hour water-access period in the dehydrated rats; n = 10 for each group; data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle. [<b>C</b>], [<b>D</b>], [<b>E</b>] RU486 reversed the effect of Dex on hypothalamic NPR-A expression and cGMP production in the water-deprived rats; n = 8 for each group; *<0.05 compared with rats treated with vehicle; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle. [<b>F</b>] Rabbit anit-hANP antiserum blocked the inhibitory effects of Dex on water intake in water-deprived rats; n = 5–6 in each group; vehicle  =  normal rabbit serum; data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle.</p

The effect of 24-hour Dex pretreatment on urinary volume and water intake.

<p>[<b>A</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on urinary volume during 24-hour pretreatment period; *<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle. [<b>B</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on cumulative water intake during water-access period in the dehydrated rats; n = 10 for each group; data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA; *<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with low dose of Dex. [<b>C</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on urinary volume during water-access period.</p

The effect of 18-hour Dex pretreatment on urinary volume and water intake.

<p>[<b>A</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on urinary volume during 18-hour pretreatment period; *<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle. [<b>B</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on cumulative water intake during water-access period in the dehydrated rats; n = 10 for each group; data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA; *<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle. [<b>C</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on urinary volume during water-access period; *<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with low dose of Dex.</p

The effect of 6-hour Dex pretreatment on urinary volume and water intake.

<p>[<b>A</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on urinary volume during 6-hour pretreatment period; *<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle. [<b>B</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on cumulative water intake during water-access period in the dehydrated rats; n = 10 for each group; data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA. [<b>C</b>] Effect of Dex pretreatment on urinary volume during water-access period; *<0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with low dose of Dex.</p

Potent volume depleting effect by Dex in rats given ad libitum access to food and water.

<p>[<b>A</b>] Effect of Dex on cumulative urinary volume; n = 10 for each group; * <0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with low dose of Dex. [<b>B</b>] Effect of Dex on cumulative urinary sodium; * <0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with low dose of Dex. [<b>C</b>] Effect of Dex on cumulative water intake. [<b>D</b>] Effect of Dex on food intake. [<b>E</b>] Effect of Dex on change from baseline in body weight; * <0.01 compared with rats treated with vehicle; # <0.01 compared with rats treated with low dose of Dex.</p