Publication
Title
Increased rat serum corticosterone suggests immunomodulation by stimulation of the vagal nerve
Author
Abstract
The role of the vagal nerve within the immune system has not been fully elucidated. Vagal afferents connect to several central nervous system structures, including the hypothalamus. We investigated the effect of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) on serum corticosterone levels in rats. Corticosterone levels were measured following 1 h of high frequency (30 Hz) or low frequency (1 Hz) VNS in awake animals. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum corticosterone levels following 30 Hz VNS compared to 1 Hz VNS or sham stimulation. These results suggest an immediate effect of VNS on the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and support the role of the vagal nerve in immunomodulation.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of neuroimmunology. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2009
ISSN
0165-5728
DOI
10.1016/J.JNEUROIM.2009.04.013
Volume/pages
212 :1/2 (2009) , p. 102-105
ISI
000268650400012
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.11.2011
Last edited 04.03.2024
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