The novel findings of the present study are: (i) adriamycin-induced HF rats had higher PVN levels of glutamate, NE, ANG II, CRH and COX-2, higher plasma levels of ANG II and NE, and lower levels of ANP in plasma and myocardium; and (ii) treatment with CLB attenuated these HF-induced changes, reduced mortality and improved myocardial atrophy, pulmonary congestion and hemodynamic parameters of HF rats. Here, CRH is linked to hydrops fetalis.