scholarly journals Subdiaphragmatic vagal afferent nerves modulate visceral pain

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (6) ◽  
pp. G1441-G1449 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Chen ◽  
X. Y. Wu ◽  
Z. J. Cao ◽  
J. Fan ◽  
M. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Visceral Pain ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Afferent Nerves ◽  
Vagal Afferent

Activation of the vagal afferents by noxious gastrointestinal stimuli suggests that vagal afferents may play a complex role in visceral pain processes. The contribution of the vagus nerve to visceral pain remains unresolved. Previous studies reported that patients following chronic vagotomy have lower pain thresholds. The patient with irritable bowel syndrome has been shown alteration of vagal function. We hypothesize that vagal afferent nerves modulate visceral pain. Visceromotor responses (VMR) to graded colorectal distension (CRD) were recorded from the abdominal muscles in conscious rats. Chronic subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve sections induced 470, 106, 51, and 54% increases in VMR to CRD at 20, 40, 60 and 80 mmHg, respectively. Similarly, at light level of anesthesia, topical application of lidocaine to the subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve in rats increased VMR to CRD. Vagal afferent neuronal responses to low or high-intensity electrical vagal stimulation (EVS) of vagal afferent Aδ or C fibers were distinguished by calculating their conduction velocity. Low-intensity EVS of Aδ fibers (40 μA, 20 Hz, 0.5 ms for 30 s) reduced VMR to CRD at 40, 60, and 80 mmHg by 41, 52, and 58%, respectively. In contrast, high-intensity EVS of C fibers (400 μA, 1 Hz, 0.5 ms for 30 s) had no effect on VMR to CRD. In conclusion, we demonstrated that vagal afferent nerves modulate visceral pain. Low-intensity EVS that activates vagal afferent Aδ fibers reduced visceral pain. Thus EVS may potentially have a role in the treatment of chronic visceral pain.

scholarly journals Evidence of activation of vagal afferents by non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation: An electrophysiological study in healthy volunteers

Cephalalgia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (13) ◽  
pp. 1285-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Nonis ◽  
Kevin D’Ostilio ◽  
Jean Schoenen ◽  
Delphine Magis
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Electrophysiological Study ◽  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Bipolar Electrode ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Vagal Afferent

Background Benefits of cervical non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) devices have been shown in episodic cluster headache and preliminarily suggested in migraine, but direct evidence of vagus nerve activation using such devices is lacking. Vagal somatosensory evoked potentials (vSEPs) associated with vagal afferent activation have been reported for invasive vagus nerve stimulation (iVNS) and non-invasive auricular vagal stimulation. Here, we aimed to show and characterise vSEPs for cervical nVNS. Methods vSEPs were recorded for 12 healthy volunteers who received nVNS over the cervical vagus nerve, bipolar electrode/DS7A stimulation over the inner tragus, and nVNS over the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. We measured peak-to-peak amplitudes (P1-N1), wave latencies, and N1 area under the curve. Results P1-N1 vSEPs were observed for cervical nVNS (11/12) and auricular stimulation (9/12), with latencies similar to those described previously, whereas SCM stimulation revealed only a muscle artefact with a much longer latency. A dose-response analysis showed that cervical nVNS elicited a clear vSEP response in more than 80% of the participants using an intensity of 15 V. Conclusion Cervical nVNS can activate vagal afferent fibres, as evidenced by the recording of far-field vSEPs similar to those seen with iVNS and non-invasive auricular stimulation.

CCK enhances response to gastric distension by acting on capsaicin-insensitive vagal afferents

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (3) ◽  
pp. R695-R703 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. H. E. M. van de Wall ◽  
P. Duffy ◽  
R. C. Ritter
Keyword(s):  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
Gastric Distension ◽  
Solitary Tract ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Balloon Distension ◽  
Electrophysiological Responses ◽  
Vagal Afferent ◽  
Fos Expression ◽  
Afferent Response ◽  
And Control

Capsaicin treatment destroys vagal afferent C fibers and markedly attenuates reduction of food intake and induction of hindbrain Fos expression by CCK. However, both anatomical and electrophysiological data indicate that some gastric vagal afferents are not destroyed by capsaicin. Because CCK enhances behavioral and electrophysiological responses to gastric distension in rats and people, we hypothesized that CCK might enhance the vagal afferent response to gastric distension via an action on capsaicin-insensitive vagal afferents. To test this hypothesis, we quantified expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos) in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) of capsaicin-treated (Cap) and control rats (Veh), following gastric balloon distension alone and in combination with CCK injection. In Veh rats, intraperitoneal CCK significantly increased DVC Fos, especially in nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), whereas in Cap rats, CCK did not significantly increase DVC Fos. In contrast to CCK, gastric distension did significantly increase Fos expression in the NTS of both Veh and Cap rats, although distension-induced Fos was attenuated in Cap rats. When CCK was administered during gastric distension, it significantly enhanced NTS Fos expression in response to distension in Cap rats. Furthermore, CCK's enhancement of distension-induced Fos in Cap rats was reversed by the selective CCK-A receptor antagonist lorglumide. We conclude that CCK directly activates capsaicin-sensitive C-type vagal afferents. However, in capsaicin-resistant A-type afferents, CCK's principal action may be facilitation of responses to gastric distension.

Stimulation of vagal C-fibers alters timing and distribution of respiratory motor output in cats

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 2249-2256 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. Holmes ◽  
J. E. Remmers
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Breathing Pattern ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Vascular Congestion ◽  
Vagal Afferent ◽  
Posterior Cricoarytenoid ◽  
The Right ◽  
Decerebrate Cats

Pulmonary vascular congestion or pulmonary embolism in humans produces shallow tachypnea, and indirect experimental evidence suggests that this characteristic breathing pattern may result from activation of vagal unmyelinated afferents from the lung. We have investigated, in decerebrate cats, reflex changes in breathing pattern and in the activation of the diaphragm, posterior cricoarytenoid, and thyroarytenoid muscles caused by activating C-fiber afferents in the vagus nerve. The right vagus nerve was sectioned distal to the origin of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, eliminating vagal afferent traffic although preserving motor innervation of the larynx on that side. The left cervical vagus was stimulated electrically, and efferent activation of the laryngeal muscles was avoided by cutting the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Transmission to the brain of vagal afferent traffic resulting from this stimulation was controlled by graded cold block of the nerve cranial to the site of application of the stimulus. Activation of C-fibers, when A-fibers were blocked, significantly decreased respiratory period and amplitude of diaphragm inspiratory burst. In addition, this selective activation of vagal C-fibers augmented postinspiratory activity of the diaphragm and recruited phasic expiratory bursts in the thyroarytenoid. We conclude that, in unanesthetized decerebrate cats, afferent traffic of vagal C-fibers initiates a pontomedullary reflex that increases respiratory frequency, decreases tidal volume, and augments braking of expiratory airflow.

scholarly journals Involvement of 5-HT3 receptors in pudendal inhibition of bladder overactivity in cats

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (5) ◽  
pp. F663-F671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeyad Schwen ◽  
Yosuke Matsuta ◽  
Bing Shen ◽  
Jicheng Wang ◽  
James R. Roppolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Bladder Capacity ◽  
Saline Control ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Afferent Nerves ◽  
Normal Bladder ◽  
Pudendal Neuromodulation ◽  
Bladder Symptoms ◽  
Bladder Activity

In the present study, the role of 5-HT3 receptors in pudendal neuromodulation of bladder activity and its interaction with opioid receptors were investigated in anesthetized cats. The bladder was distended with either saline to induce normal bladder activity or with 0.25% acetic acid (AA) to induce bladder overactivity. Pudendal afferent nerves were activated by 5-Hz stimulation at multiples of the threshold (T) intensity for the induction of anal twitching. AA irritation significantly reduced bladder capacity to 16.5 ± 3.3% of saline control capacity, whereas pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) at 1.5–2 and 3–4 T restored the capacity to 82.0 ± 12% ( P = 0.0001) and 98.6 ± 15% ( P < 0.0001), respectively. Cumulative doses (1–3 mg/kg iv) of ondansetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, eliminated low-intensity (1.5–2 T) PNS inhibition and reduced high-intensity (3–4 T) PNS inhibition of bladder overactivity. During saline distention, PNS at 1.5–2 and 3–4 T significantly increased bladder capacity to 173.2 ± 26.4% ( P = 0.036) and 193.2 ± 22.5% ( P = 0.008), respectively, of saline control capacity, but ondansetron (0.003–3 mg/kg iv) did not alter PNS inhibition. Ondansetron (0.1–3 mg/kg) also significantly ( P < 0.05) increased control bladder capacity (50–200%) during either AA irritation or saline distention. In both conditions, the effects of low- and high-intensity PNS were not significantly different. After ondansetron (3 mg/kg) treatment, naloxone (1 mg/kg iv) significantly ( P < 0.05) decreased control bladder capacity (40–70%) during either AA irritation or saline distention but failed to affect PNS inhibition. This study revealed that activation of 5-HT3 receptors has a role in PNS inhibition of bladder overactivity. It also indicated that 5-HT3 receptor antagonists might be useful for the treatment of overactive bladder symptoms.

Mechanistic studies of acid-evoked coughing in anesthetized guinea pigs

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (2) ◽  
pp. R454-R463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan J. Canning ◽  
David G. Farmer ◽  
Nanako Mori
Keyword(s):  
Citric Acid ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid ◽  
Receptor Antagonists ◽  
Tracheal Mucosa ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Afferent Nerves ◽  
Vagal Afferent

Experiments carried out in conscious guinea pigs suggest that citric acid-evoked coughing is partly mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptor-dependent activation of tachykinin-containing, capsaicin-sensitive C fibers. In vitro electrophysiological analyses indicate, however, that acid also activates capsaicin-sensitive and -insensitive vagal afferent nerves by a TRPV1-independent mechanism, and studies in anesthetized guinea pigs show that coughing evoked by acid is mediated by activation of capsaicin-insensitive vagal afferent nerves. In the present study, we have characterized the mechanisms of citric acid-evoked coughing in anesthetized guinea pigs. Drugs were administered directly to the Krebs buffer perfusing the extrathoracic trachea. Citric acid was applied topically to the tracheal mucosa, directly into the tracheal perfusate in increasing concentrations and at 1-min intervals. Citric acid dose dependently evoked coughing in anesthetized guinea pigs. This was mimicked by hydrochloric acid but not by sodium citrate. The coughing evoked by acid was nearly or completely abolished by TTX or by cutting the recurrent laryngeal nerves. Perfusing the trachea with a low Cl− buffer potentiated the acid-induced cough reflex. In contrast, prior capsaicin desensitization, 10 μM capsazepine, Ca2+-free perfusate, 0.1 μM iberiotoxin, 1 μM atropine, 10 μM isoproterenol, 10 μM albuterol, 3 μM indomethacin, 0.1 μM HOE-140, a combination of neurokinin1 (NK1; CP-99994), NK2 (SR-48968), and NK3 (SB-223412) receptor antagonists (0.1 μM each), a combination of histamine H1 (3 μM pyrilamine) and cysLT1 (1 μM ICI-198615) receptor antagonists, superior laryngeal nerve transection, or epithelium removal did not inhibit citric acid-evoked coughing. These and other data indicate that citric acid-evoked coughing in anesthetized guinea pigs is mediated by direct activation of capsaicin-insensitive vagal afferent nerves, perhaps through sequential activation of acid-sensing ion channels and chloride channels.

scholarly journals Differential effects of airway afferent nerve subtypes on cough and respiration in anesthetized guinea pigs

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (5) ◽  
pp. R1572-R1584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang-Ling Chou ◽  
Mark D. Scarupa ◽  
Nanako Mori ◽  
Brendan J. Canning
Keyword(s):  
Citric Acid ◽  
Hypertonic Saline ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Afferent Nerve ◽  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Afferent Nerves ◽  
Nodose Ganglia ◽  
Opposing Effects ◽  
Respiratory Reflexes

The hypothesis that respiratory reflexes, such as cough, reflect the net and often opposing effects of activation of multiple afferent nerve subpopulations throughout the airways was evaluated. Laryngeal and tracheal mucosal challenge with either citric acid or mechanical probing reliably evoked coughing in anesthetized guinea pigs. No other stimulus reliably evoked coughing in these animals, regardless of route of administration and despite some profound effects on respiration. Selectively activating vagal C-fibers arising from the nodose ganglia with either adenosine or 2-methyl-5-HT evoked only tachypnea. Selectively activating vagal afferents arising from the jugular ganglia induced respiratory slowing and apnea. Nasal afferent nerve activation by capsaicin, citric acid, hypertonic saline, or histamine evoked only respiratory slowing. Histamine, which activates intrapulmonary rapidly adapting receptors but not airway or lung C-fibers or tracheal bronchial cough receptors induced bronchospasm and tachypnea, but no coughing. The results indicate that the reflexes initiated by stimuli thought to be selective for some afferent nerve subtypes will likely depend on the net and potentially opposing effects of multiple afferent nerve subpopulations throughout the airways. The data also provide further evidence that the afferent nerves regulating cough in anesthetized guinea pigs are distinct from either C-fibers or intrapulmonary rapidly adapting receptors.

scholarly journals Effect of Extracellular Calcium on Excitability of Guinea Pig Airway Vagal Afferent Nerves

2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 1196-1204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley J. Undem ◽  
Eun Joo Oh ◽  
Eric Lancaster ◽  
Daniel Weinreich
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Extracellular Calcium ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Afferent Nerves ◽  
Nodose Ganglia ◽  
Cation Conductance ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Vagal Afferent

The effect of reducing extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]o) on vagal afferent excitability was analyzed in a guinea pig isolated vagally innervated trachea-bronchus preparation. Afferent fibers were characterized as either having low-threshold, rapidly adapting mechanosensors (Aδ fibers) or nociceptive-like phenotypes (Aδ and C fibers). The nociceptors were derived from neurons within the jugular ganglia, whereas the low-threshold mechanosensors were derived from neurons within the nodose ganglia. Reducing [Ca2+]o did not affect the excitability of the low-threshold mechanosensors in the airway. By contrast, reducing [Ca2+]o selectively increased the excitability of airway nociceptors as manifested by a substantive increase in action potential discharge in response to mechanical stimulation, and in a subset of fibers, by overtly evoking action potential discharge. This increase in the excitability of nociceptors was not mimicked by a combination of ω-conotoxin and nifedipine or tetraethylammonium. Whole cell patch recordings from airway-labeled and unlabeled neurons in the vagal jugular ganglia support the hypothesis that [Ca2+]o inhibits a nonselective cation conductance in vagal nociceptors that may serve to regulate excitability of the nerve terminals within the airways.

scholarly journals Systemic lipopolysaccharide influences rectal sensitivity in rats: role of mast cells, cytokines, and vagus nerve

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (4) ◽  
pp. G781-G790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Marie Coelho ◽  
Jean Fioramonti ◽  
Lionel Buéno
Keyword(s):  
Mast Cell ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Visceral Pain ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Intramuscular Electrodes ◽  
Factor Α

Intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produces somatic hyperalgesia, releases interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and activates vagal afferents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of peripheral LPS on rectal sensitivity and to specify the mechanisms involved. Abdominal muscle contractions were recorded in conscious rats equipped with intramuscular electrodes. Rectal distension (RD) was performed at various times after LPS or experimental treatments. In controls, RD significantly increased the number of abdominal contractions from a threshold volume of distension of 0.8 ml. At the lowest volume (0.4 ml), this number was increased after administration of LPS (3, 9, and 12 h later), recombinant human IL-1β (from 3 to 9 h), recombinant bovine TNF-α (from 6 to 9 h), and BrX-537A (from 6 to 12 h), a mast cell degranulator. The effect of LPS was reduced by doxantrazole, Lys-d-Pro-Thr, and soluble recombinant TNF receptor. Vagotomy selectively amplified the response to LPS. We conclude that, in vivo, intraperitoneal LPS lowers visceral pain threshold (allodynia) through a mechanism involving mast cell degranulation and IL-1β and TNF-α release and that the vagus nerve may exert a tonic protective role against LPS-induced rectal allodynia.

Effects of bilateral vagal cold block on vasopressin in conscious dogs

1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (4) ◽  
pp. R566-R569
Author(s):  
V. S. Bishop ◽  
M. D. Thames ◽  
P. G. Schmid
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Arterial Pressure ◽  
Arginine Vasopressin ◽  
Afferent Nerve ◽  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
Inhibitory Influence ◽  
Conscious Dog ◽  
Afferent Nerves ◽  
Vagal Afferent ◽  
Plasma Arginine

Bilateral vagal cold block was used to interrupt afferent nerve traffic in the cervical vagi and thus to determine the tonic inhibitory influence of vagal afferents on plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations in the conscious dog. Experiments were performed in conscious aortic baroreceptor-denervated dogs with carotid baroreflexes intact or with sinoaortic denervation. In the presence of intact carotid baroreflexes (n = 11) vagal cold block significantly increased arterial pressure (99 +/- 5 to 120 +/- 8 mmHg), heart rate (98 +/- 2 to 168 +/- 11 beats/min), and AVP (2.9 +/- 0.6 to 6.7 +/- 1.3 microU/ml). Chronic sinoaortic denervation did not significantly alter plasma AVP (4.4 +/- 1.0 microU/ml). However, vagal cold block in these totally denervated animals caused a significantly greater increase in arterial pressure (116 +/- 7 to 167 +/- 7 mmHg) and plasma AVP (4.4 +/- 1 to 33.4 +/- 4.8 microU/ml) compared with the responses observed in dogs with intact carotid baroreflexes. These results indicate that vagal afferent nerves exert a significant tonic inhibitory influence on the secretion of AVP in the conscious aortic baroreceptor-denervated dogs as well as in dogs with sinoaortic denervation.

scholarly journals Cervical vagus nerve stimulation augments spontaneous discharge in second- and higher-order sensory neurons in the rat nucleus of the solitary tract

2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (2) ◽  
pp. H354-H367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Beaumont ◽  
Regenia P. Campbell ◽  
Michael C. Andresen ◽  
Stephanie Scofield ◽  
Krishna Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
Visceral Afferents ◽  
Solitary Tract ◽  
C Fiber ◽  
Vagal Afferent

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) currently treats patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, depression, and heart failure. The mild intensities used in chronic VNS suggest that primary visceral afferents and central nervous system activation are involved. Here, we measured the activity of neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) in anesthetized rats using clinically styled VNS. Our chief findings indicate that VNS at threshold bradycardic intensity activated NTS neuron discharge in one-third of NTS neurons. This VNS directly activated only myelinated vagal afferents projecting to second-order NTS neurons. Most VNS-induced activity in NTS, however, was unsynchronized to vagal stimuli. Thus, VNS activated unsynchronized activity in NTS neurons that were second order to vagal afferent C-fibers as well as higher-order NTS neurons only polysynaptically activated by the vagus. Overall, cardiovascular-sensitive and -insensitive NTS neurons were similarly activated by VNS: 3/4 neurons with monosynaptic vagal A-fiber afferents, 6/42 neurons with monosynaptic vagal C-fiber afferents, and 16/21 polysynaptic NTS neurons. Provocatively, vagal A-fibers indirectly activated C-fiber neurons during VNS. Elevated spontaneous spiking was quantitatively much higher than synchronized activity and extended well into the periods of nonstimulation. Surprisingly, many polysynaptic NTS neurons responded to half the bradycardic intensity used in clinical studies, indicating that a subset of myelinated vagal afferents is sufficient to evoke VNS indirect activation. Our study uncovered a myelinated vagal afferent drive that indirectly activates NTS neurons and thus central pathways beyond NTS and support reconsideration of brain contributions of vagal afferents underpinning of therapeutic impacts. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Acute vagus nerve stimulation elevated activity in neurons located in the medial nucleus of the solitary tract. Such stimuli directly activated only myelinated vagal afferents but indirectly activated a subpopulation of second- and higher-order neurons, suggesting that afferent mechanisms and central neuron activation may be responsible for vagus nerve stimulation efficacy.

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