Peripheral corticotropin releasing hormone mediates post-inflammatory visceral hypersensitivity in rats

Figure 1 Colitis-induced changes in colonic mucosal MPO activity (A), plasma level of CRH (B), and visceral nociceptive AWR (C). In panel A and B, the upper and lower whiskers indicate the maximum and minimum values, respectively. Box lines represent the 25th (bottom), 50th (middle) and 75th (top) percentile value; (C) The area under the curve (AUC) calculated from the stimulus-response plot is illustrated as a bar graph on the right side. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs control by MWU test after KW test (P < 0.01).

Figure 2 Effect of CRH receptor antagonist astressin (A) and CRH (B) on the colorectal distension-induced AWR behavior. In each panel, the bar graphs on the right side represent the AUC of the stimulus-response plot. Astressin (AST, 30 &mgr;g/kg) and CRH (1, 3 and 10 &mgr;g/kg) were administered intraperitoneally. The same amount of saline was given as a vehicle (Veh). ^aP < 0.05 vs the paired group in (A) or the Veh group in (B) by MWU test after KW test (P < 0.05).