Vagus nerve stimulation affects inflammatory response and anti-apoptosis reactions via regulating miR-210 in epilepsy rat model

Abstract

Background Studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) significantly reduces the frequency of seizures. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in cerebrospinal fluid are expected to become a new biomarker of epilepsy. Therefore, studying the interaction mechanism between the VNS and miRNAs is hopeful of bringing a new therapeutic direction for the treatment of epilepsy.Methods Kainic acid was used to induce the Sprague-Dawley rat epilepsy model, and the rats were treated with VNS. The miR-210 expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Racine score was adopted to evaluate the performance of behavioral seizures, whereas qRT-PCR and ELISA were employed to test inflammatory factors. Western blotting was implemented to testify the inflammatory and apoptotic proteins.Results Kainic acid-induced the Sprague-Dawley rat epilepsy model and upregulated the expression of miR-210, inflammatory response, inflammation and apoptosis-related proteins in brain tissues. In addition, compared with the epilepsy model group, miR-210 in the hippocampus of the epilepsy model rats treated with VNS was downregulated, and the expression of apoptosisrelated proteins and inflammatory factors was reduced. Moreover, after further inhibiting the expression of miR-210, the inhibition of VNS on epilepsy, inflammation and apoptosis were significantly enhanced.Summary VNS relieves the inflammatory response and apoptosis of epileptic rats via inhibiting miR-210.

Threshold adjusted vagus nerve stimulation after asphyxial cardiac arrest results in neuroprotection and improved survival

“…The clinical scores were further supported by the histological results that demonstrated decreased neuronal injury loss and apoptosis in the hippocampus CA1 and cortex region and also maintaining functional state of neurons for the tVNS treated group. This result is also consistent with previous results that suggested that VNS reduced the cell death at 24 h post-ROSC due to increased cerebral blood flow (Kim et al, 2019 ), while VNS mediated anti-inflammatory and and anti-apoptotic effect has also been demonstrated in epilepsy (Bie et al, 2021 ). We further observed an interesting event that out of eight rats which received tVNS, five showed an awakening condition between 25 and 30 min post-ROSC and there were three rats receiving tVNS were able to eat on their own suggesting therapeutic approach of tVNS.…”

Downregulation of miR-210 Promoted Apoptosis of Hippocampal Neurons by Negatively Regulating the TLR4/NF-кB1 Signaling Pathway in a Rat Model of Status Epilepticus

“…The degree of hippocampal apoptosis was also augmented, suggesting that the downregulation of miR-210 can promote apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Our findings are consistent with the anti-apoptotic effect of miR-210 under hypoxic conditions described by several authors, but contradict the results of other studies 11 , 25 which requires further research.…”

Neurostimulation as a Method of Treatment and a Preventive Measure in Canine Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Current State and Future Prospects

“…Stimulation of both vagal efferents and afferents has shown anti-inflammatory effects, attributed to cholinergic signaling ( 174 ). Experimental data supports positive effect of VNS on neuroinflammation in various animal disease models ( 175 – 178 ). Importantly, chronic VNS decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in hippocampus of rats with spontaneous recurrent seizures ( 178 ).…”