Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Protects Endotoxemic Rat from Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation

Abstract

Background. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) could evoke parasympathetic activities via activating the brainstem autonomic nuclei, similar to the effects that are produced after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). VNS modulates immune function through activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Methods. VNS, ta-VNS, or transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on ST36 was performed to modulate the inflammatory response. The concentration of serum proinflammatory cytokines and tissue NF-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) were detected in endotoxaemia affected anesthetized rats. Results. Similar to the effect of VNS, ta-VNS suppressed the serum proinflammatory cytokines levels, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as NF-kappa B p65 expressions of lung tissues. ST36 stimulation also decreases LPS-induced high TNF-α level and NF-κB signal, but it did not restrain proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and IL-6. Neither ta-VNS nor ST36 stimulation could suppress LPS-induced TNF-α and NF-κB after vagotomy or with α7nAChR antagonist injection. Conclusions. The present paper demonstrated that ta-VNS could be utilized to suppress LPS-induced inflammatory responses via α7nAChR-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.

Numerical modeling of percutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation: a realistic 3D model to evaluate sensitivity of neural activation to electrode position

“…Sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system modulate heart rate, blood pressure, or vascular tone [10]. A favorable parasympathetic/vagal stimulation may thus downregulate vascular tone [11], increase blood perfusion [8,12], and downregulate inflammation [13,14], all highly beneficial for instance in the treatment of PAD.…”

Is-there a place for vagus nerve stimulation in inflammatory bowel diseases?

“…In addition, in the case of the Gammacore device, the reproducibility of the position of the discs in contact with the VN is questionable. Finally, in an experimental model of septic shock, ta-VNS was less efficient than VNS to attenuate the LPS-induced serum cytokine (TNFα, IL1β, and IL6) response (Zhao et al, 2012).…”

“…Transauricular (ta) VNS could thus activate the CAP through an inflammatory reflex. ta-VNS dampened LPSinduced inflammatory responses in rats that was suppressed by vagotomy or α7nAChR antagonist (Zhao et al, 2012). External stimulation of the left cervical VN decreased whole blood culture-derived cytokines and chemokines in healthy volunteers (Lerman et al, 2016).…”

Can natural ways to stimulate the vagus nerve improve seizure control?

“…The study showed trans-auricular stimulation decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB. These antiinflammatory effects were abolished by vagotomy or administration of an α7nAChR (nicotinic acetylcholine receptor) antagonist [12]. Indeed, a number studies using animal models of inflammatory diseases have demonstrated the beneficial effects of VNS [13].…”