This dissociation between c-fos and CRF expression in PVN during chronic stress is in line with the results of the current study that the 7-day-IAA induced gastritis causes gender-related alterations in hypothalamic mRNA expressions of Crf and Gr and CORT levels in plasma, but had no effect on hypothalamic C-fos mRNA expression. The gene discussed is NR3C1; the disease is gastritis.