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Modulating the Inflammatory Reflex in Rats Using Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Stimulation of the Vagus Nerve.
- Source :
-
Ultrasound in medicine & biology [Ultrasound Med Biol] 2019 Feb; Vol. 45 (2), pp. 481-489. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Nov 02. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is linked to several chronic inflammatory diseases. Electrical vagus nerve stimulation reduces serum TNF-α levels but may cause chronic nerve damage and requires surgery. Alternatively, we proposed focused ultrasound stimulation of the vagus nerve (uVNS), which can be applied non-invasively. In this study, we induced an inflammatory response in rats using lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and collected blood to analyze the effects of uVNS on cytokine concentrations. We applied one or three 5-min pulsed focused ultrasound stimulation treatments to the vagus nerve (250 kHz, I <subscript>SPPA</subscript> = 3 W/cm <superscript>2</superscript> ). Animals receiving a single ultrasound application had an average reduction in TNF-α levels of 19%, similar to the 16% reduction observed in electrically stimulated animals. With multiple applications, uVNS therapy statistically reduced serum TNF-α levels by 73% compared with control animals without any observed damage to the nerve. These findings suggest that uVNS is a suitable way to attenuate TNF-α levels.<br /> (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1879-291X
- Volume :
- 45
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Ultrasound in medicine & biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30396599
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.09.005