Inhibition of atrial fibrillation by low-level vagus nerve stimulation: the role of the nitric oxide signaling pathway

Background: Previous studies have proved that low-level vagus nerve stimulation (LLVS) could suppress acute obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF).Objective: This study investigates the underlying electrophysiological, neural, and cardiomyocyte injury mechanisms on acute OSA-induced AF, examining whether LLVS can attenuate or reverse this remodeling.Methods and Results: Eighteen mongrel dogs received endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia and were randomly divided into three groups: the OSA group (simulated OSA with clamping of the trachea cannula at the end of expiration for 2min followed ventilation 8min, lasting 6h, n=6), the OSA+LLVS group (simulated OSA plus LLVS, n=6), and a control group (sham clamping the trachea cannula without stimulation, n=6). In the OSA+LLVS group, the atrial effective refractory period was significantly lengthened while the sinus node recovery time and AF duration decreased after the 4th hour, and the expression level of Cx40 and Cx43 was significantly increased compared to the OSA group. Norepinephrine, TH, and ChAT were significantly decreased in the OSA+LLVS group compared with the OSA group. Mitochondrial swelling, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and glycogen deposition, along with a higher concentration of TNF-α, IL-6 were observed in the OSA group, and the LLVS inhibited the structural remodeling and expression of inflammatory cytokines.Conclusion: LLVS decreased the inducibility of AF partly by ameliorating sympathetic hyperactivity and atrial myocyte injury after acute OSA-induced AF.

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The Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Device of the Nu-Calm-Solace Lifesciences Gives an Output Signal that is a Multifractal: Is there a Support in the Treatment of the Atrial Fibrillation?

Austin Cardiology ◽

10.26420/austincardiol.2017.1013 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Elio Conte

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Vagus Nerve ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Output Signal ◽

Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation

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Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis ◽

10.1177/2475530318761399 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 54-58

Author(s):

Eric J. Yang ◽

Sahil Sekhon ◽

Kristen M. Beck ◽

Isabelle M. Sanchez ◽

Tina Bhutani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psoriatic Arthritis ◽

Vagus Nerve ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽

Animal Studies ◽

Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽

Inflammatory Processes ◽

Current Therapies ◽

Inflammatory Bowel

Treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have progressed at a rapid rate over the past 20 years, but treating patients with recalcitrant disease still remains a difficult task. Current therapies for these diseases involve topical agents, phototherapy, and systemic immunosuppression. However, the role of the nervous system in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis remains largely unexplored. Recent animal studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation can decrease inflammatory processes in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. In this article, we outline the existing knowledge of the nervous system’s role in chronic inflammatory disease and discuss how these findings could be utilized in the future for treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

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