Effect of heat stress or lipopolysaccharide (E-coli) injection on HSP70 levels in the liver and brain of adrenalectomized rats

Hsp70 content (ng Hsp70 mu g total protein(-1)) in the liver and brain of c ontrol and adrenalectomized male rats was investigated by Western Blotting after heat stress (40 degrees C) or endotoxin-induced fever (E. coli lipopo lysaccharide injection). The increase in rectal temperature was higher afte r heat stress than after LPS injection, Heat stress affected Hsp70 content of the liver, but not of the brain; however adrenalectomy did not influence any parameter. These results suggest that, under these circumstances, ther e is no relationship between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and Hs p70 synthesis in liver and brain. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.