Effects of dexmedetomidine(DEX) and saline treatment on the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides, POMC, CART, AgRP and NPY, in control, septic and treated (with DEX or saline) rats.

Hypothalamic genes expression were measured by real-time PCR. GAPDH was used as control. All the mRNA expressions were normalized to those of control group. Significant data measured from control were labelled (*) with P-values <0.05. Significant data measured from sepsis group was labelled (#) with P-values <0.05.