Fig. 1

Experimental protocol. After a 5-day adaptation period, the rats were divided into the dexamethasone group (n = 16) and the control group (n = 15). Dexamethasone (dose = 1.0 mg/kg body weight per day) was administered from the cervical portion of the back via a subcutaneous (s.c.) injection (0900–0930 hours) for 10 consecutive days. In control group rats, an equivalent volume of 0.9% NaCl solution was administered in the same manner. Muscles were isolated and weighed on the day after the final day of the administration of dexamethasone