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Felippe ISA, Zera T, da Silva MP, Moraes DJA, McBryde F, Paton JFR. The sympathetic nervous system exacerbates carotid body sensitivity in hypertension. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:316-331. [PMID: 35048948 PMCID: PMC10022867 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The carotid bodies (CBs) of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats exhibit hypertonicity and hyperreflexia contributing to heightened peripheral sympathetic outflow. We hypothesized that CB hyperexcitability is driven by its own sympathetic innervation. METHODS AND RESULTS To test this, the chemoreflex was activated (NaCN 50-100 µL, 0.4 µg/µL) in SH and Wistar rats in situ before and after: (i) electrical stimulation (ES; 30 Hz, 2 ms, 10 V) of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), which innervates the CB; (ii) unilateral resection of the SCG (SCGx); (iii) CB injections of an α1-adrenergic receptor agonist (phenylephrine, 50 µL, 1 mmol/L), and (iv) α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin (40 µL, 1 mmol/L) or tamsulosin (50 µL, 1 mmol/L). ES of the SCG enhanced CB-evoked sympathoexcitation by 40-50% (P < 0.05) with no difference between rat strains. Unilateral SCGx attenuated the CB-evoked sympathoexcitation in SH (62%; P < 0.01) but was without effect in Wistar rats; it also abolished the ongoing firing of chemoreceptive petrosal neurones of SH rats, which became hyperpolarized. In Wistar rats, CB injections of phenylephrine enhanced CB-evoked sympathoexcitation (33%; P < 0.05), which was prevented by prazosin (26%; P < 0.05) in SH rats. Tamsulosin alone reproduced the effects of prazosin in SH rats and prevented the sensitizing effect of the SCG following ES. Within the CB, α1A- and α1B-adrenoreceptors were co-localized on both glomus cells and blood vessels. In conscious SH rats instrumented for recording blood pressure (BP), the CB-evoked pressor response was attenuated after SCGx, and systolic BP fell by 16 ± 4.85 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS The sympathetic innervation of the CB is tonically activated and sensitizes the CB of SH but not Wistar rats. Furthermore, sensitization of CB-evoked reflex sympathoexcitation appears to be mediated by α1-adrenoceptors located either on the vasculature and/or glomus cells. The SCG is novel target for controlling CB pathophysiology in hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S A Felippe
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Manaaki Mānawa—The Centre for Heart Research, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton Campus, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Tymoteusz Zera
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-091, Poland
| | - Melina P da Silva
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Davi J A Moraes
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Fiona McBryde
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Manaaki Mānawa—The Centre for Heart Research, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton Campus, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
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Getsy PM, Coffee GA, Lewis SJ. Loss of ganglioglomerular nerve input to the carotid body impacts the hypoxic ventilatory response in freely-moving rats. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1007043. [PMID: 37008015 PMCID: PMC10060956 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1007043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The carotid bodies are the primary sensors of blood pH, pO2 and pCO2. The ganglioglomerular nerve (GGN) provides post-ganglionic sympathetic nerve input to the carotid bodies, however the physiological relevance of this innervation is still unclear. The main objective of this study was to determine how the absence of the GGN influences the hypoxic ventilatory response in juvenile rats. As such, we determined the ventilatory responses that occur during and following five successive episodes of hypoxic gas challenge (HXC, 10% O2, 90% N2), each separated by 15 min of room-air, in juvenile (P25) sham-operated (SHAM) male Sprague Dawley rats and in those with bilateral transection of the ganglioglomerular nerves (GGNX). The key findings were that 1) resting ventilatory parameters were similar in SHAM and GGNX rats, 2) the initial changes in frequency of breathing, tidal volume, minute ventilation, inspiratory time, peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, and inspiratory and expiratory drives were markedly different in GGNX rats, 3) the initial changes in expiratory time, relaxation time, end inspiratory or expiratory pauses, apneic pause and non-eupneic breathing index (NEBI) were similar in SHAM and GGNX rats, 4) the plateau phases obtained during each HXC were similar in SHAM and GGNX rats, and 5) the ventilatory responses that occurred upon return to room-air were similar in SHAM and GGNX rats. Overall, these changes in ventilation during and following HXC in GGNX rats raises the possibility the loss of GGN input to the carotid bodies effects how primary glomus cells respond to hypoxia and the return to room-air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina M. Getsy
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Paulina M. Getsy,
| | - Gregory A. Coffee
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Stephen J. Lewis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Functional Electrical Stimulation Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Liang Y, Li H, Gan Y, Tu H. Shedding Light on the Role of Neurotransmitters in the Microenvironment of Pancreatic Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:688953. [PMID: 34395421 PMCID: PMC8363299 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.688953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of less than 8%. The fate of PC is determined not only by the malignant behavior of the cancer cells, but also by the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), consisting of various cellular (cancer cells, immune cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, and neurons) and non-cellular (cytokines, neurotransmitters, and extracellular matrix) components. The pancreatic TME has the unique characteristic of exhibiting increased neural density and altered microenvironmental concentration of neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters, produced by both neuron and non-neuronal cells, can directly regulate the biological behavior of PC cells via binding to their corresponding receptors on tumor cells and activating the intracellular downstream signals. On the other hand, the neurotransmitters can also communicate with other cellular components such as the immune cells in the TME to promote cancer growth. In this review, we will summarize the pleiotropic effects of neurotransmitters on the initiation and progression of PC, and particularly discuss the emerging mechanisms of how neurotransmitters influence the innate and adaptive immune responses in the TME in an autocrine or paracrine manner. A better understanding of the interplay between neurotransmitters and the immune cells in the TME might facilitate the development of new effective therapies for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yu Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Getsy PM, Coffee GA, Hsieh YH, Lewis SJ. The superior cervical ganglia modulate ventilatory responses to hypoxia independently of preganglionic drive from the cervical sympathetic chain. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 131:836-857. [PMID: 34197230 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00216.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Superior cervical ganglia (SCG) postganglionic neurons receive preganglionic drive via the cervical sympathetic chains (CSC). The SCG projects to structures like the carotid bodies (e.g., vasculature, chemosensitive glomus cells), upper airway (e.g., tongue, nasopharynx), and to the parenchyma and cerebral arteries throughout the brain. We previously reported that a hypoxic gas challenge elicited an array of ventilatory responses in sham-operated (SHAM) freely moving adult male C57BL6 mice and that responses were altered in mice with bilateral transection of the cervical sympathetic chain (CSCX). Since the CSC provides preganglionic innervation to the SCG, we presumed that mice with superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGX) would respond similarly to hypoxic gas challenge as CSCX mice. However, while SCGX mice had altered responses during hypoxic gas challenge that occurred in CSCX mice (e.g., more rapid occurrence of changes in frequency of breathing and minute ventilation), SCGX mice displayed numerous responses to hypoxic gas challenge that CSCX mice did not, including reduced total increases in frequency of breathing, minute ventilation, inspiratory and expiratory drives, peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, and appearance of noneupneic breaths. In conclusion, hypoxic gas challenge may directly activate subpopulations of SCG cells, including subpopulations of postganglionic neurons and small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells, independently of CSC drive, and that SCG drive to these structures dampens the initial occurrence of the hypoxic ventilatory response, while promoting the overall magnitude of the response. The multiple effects of SCGX may be due to loss of innervation to peripheral and central structures with differential roles in breathing control.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We present data showing that the ventilatory responses elicited by a hypoxic gas challenge in male C57BL6 mice with bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy are not equivalent to those reported for mice with bilateral transection of the cervical sympathetic chain. These data suggest that hypoxic gas challenge may directly activate subpopulations of superior cervical ganglia (SCG) cells, including small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells and/or principal SCG neurons, independently of preganglionic cervical sympathetic chain drive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina M Getsy
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Gregory A Coffee
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Yee-Hsee Hsieh
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University Hospital Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Stephen J Lewis
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.,Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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Bookout AL, Gautron L. Characterization of a cell bridge variant connecting the nodose and superior cervical ganglia in the mouse: Prevalence, anatomical features, and practical implications. J Comp Neurol 2020; 529:111-128. [PMID: 32356570 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
While autonomic ganglia have been extensively studied in rats instead of mice, there is renewed interest in the anatomy of the mouse autonomic nervous system. This study examined the prevalence and anatomical features of a cell bridge linking two autonomic ganglia of the neck, namely, the nodose ganglion (NG) and the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) in a cohort of C57BL/6J mice. We identified a cell bridge between the NG and the cranial pole of the SCG. This cell bridge was tubular shaped with an average length and width of 700 and 240 μm, respectively. The cell bridge was frequently unilateral and significantly more prevalent in the ganglionic masses from males (38%) than females (21%). On each of its extremities, it contained a mixed of vagal afferents and postganglionic sympathetic neurons. The two populations of neurons abruptly replaced each other in the middle of the cell bridge. We examined the mRNA expression for selected autonomic markers in samples of the NG with or without cell bridge. Our results indicated that the cell bridge was enriched in both markers of postganglionic sympathetic and vagal afferents neurons. Lastly, using FluoroGold microinjection into the NG, we found that the existence of a cell bridge may occasionally lead to the inadvertent contamination of the SCG. In summary, this study describes the anatomy of a cell bridge variant consisting of the fusion of the mouse NG and SCG. The practical implications of our observations are discussed with respect to studies of the mouse vagal afferents, an area of research of increasing popularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angie L Bookout
- Division of Hypothalamic Research and Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Laurent Gautron
- Division of Hypothalamic Research and Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Noseda R, Schain AJ, Melo-Carrillo A, Tien J, Stratton J, Mai F, Strassman AM, Burstein R. Fluorescently-labeled fremanezumab is distributed to sensory and autonomic ganglia and the dura but not to the brain of rats with uncompromised blood brain barrier. Cephalalgia 2019; 40:229-240. [PMID: 31856583 PMCID: PMC7233263 DOI: 10.1177/0333102419896760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Background The presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide and its receptors in multiple brain areas and peripheral tissues previously implicated in migraine initiation and its many associated symptoms raises the possibility that humanized monoclonal anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide antibodies (CGRP-mAbs) can prevent migraine by modulating neuronal behavior inside and outside the brain. Critical to our ability to conduct a fair discussion over the mechanisms of action of CGRP-mAbs in migraine prevention is data generation that determines which of the many possible peripheral and central sites are accessible to these antibodies – a question raised frequently due to their large size. Material and methods Rats with uncompromised and compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) were injected with Alexa Fluor 594-conjugated fremanezumab (Frema594), sacrificed 4 h or 7 d later, and relevant tissues were examined for the presence of Frema594. Results In rats with uncompromised BBB, Frema594 was similarly observed at 4 h and 7 d in the dura, dural blood vessels, trigeminal ganglion, C2 dorsal root ganglion, the parasympathetic sphenopalatine ganglion and the sympathetic superior cervical ganglion but not in the spinal trigeminal nucleus, thalamus, hypothalamus or cortex. In rats with compromised BBB, Frema594 was detected in the cortex (100 µm surrounding the compromised BBB site) 4 h but not 7 d after injections. Discussion Our inability to detect fluorescent (CGRP-mAbs) in the brain supports the conclusion that CGRP-mAbs prevent the headache phase of migraine by acting mostly, if not exclusively, outside the brain as the amount of CGRP-mAbs that enters the brain (if any) is too small to be physiologically meaningful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Noseda
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron J Schain
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Agustin Melo-Carrillo
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Fanny Mai
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA, USA
| | - Andrew M Strassman
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rami Burstein
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Zhu G, Dai B, Chen Z, He L, Guo J, Dan Y, Liang S, Li G. Effects of chronic lead exposure on the sympathoexcitatory response associated with the P2X7 receptor in rat superior cervical ganglia. Auton Neurosci 2019; 219:33-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Kamm K, Straube A, Ruscheweyh R. Calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in tear fluid are elevated in migraine patients compared to healthy controls. Cephalalgia 2019; 39:1535-1543. [PMID: 31603037 DOI: 10.1177/0333102419856640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) released from trigeminal nerve fibres indicates trigeminal activation and has a key role in migraine pathophysiology. The trigeminal nerve directly innervates the eye. Therefore, in this study, we compared Calcitonin gene-related peptide in tear fluid of migraine patients and healthy controls. METHODS Calcitonin gene-related peptide concentrations in tear fluid and plasma of 48 episodic and 45 chronic migraine patients and 48 controls were assessed using ELISA. RESULTS Calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in tear fluid (0.94 ± 1.11 ng/ml) were ∼140 times higher than plasma concentrations (6.81 ± 4.12 pg/ml). Tear fluid CGRP concentrations were elevated in interictal migraine patients (1.10 ± 1.27 ng/ml, n = 49) compared to controls (0.75 ± 0.80 ng/ml, p = 0.022). There was no difference in tear fluid CGRP levels between interictal episodic and chronic migraine patients (episodic: 1.09 ± 1.47 ng/ml, n = 30 and chronic: 1.10 ± 0.89 ng/ml, n = 19) and no correlation of tear fluid CGRP levels with headache frequency in interictal patients (rho = 0.062, p = 0.674). Unmedicated ictal migraine patients had even more elevated tear fluid CGRP levels than interictal migraine patients (1.92 ± 1.84 ng/ml, n = 13, p = 0.102), while medicated ictal migraine patients had lower levels (0.56 ± 0.47 ng/ml, n = 25, p = 0.011 compared to interictal patients), which were undistinguishable from controls (p = 0.609). In contrast to tear fluid, no significant group differences were found in plasma CGRP levels. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this study shows, for the first time, increased CGRP tear fluid levels in migraine patients compared to healthy subjects. Detection of calcitonin gene-related peptide in tear fluid is non-invasive, and likely allows a more direct access to CGRP released from the trigeminal nerve than plasma sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Kamm
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Straube
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Ruth Ruscheweyh
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
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McAllister SL, Giourgas BK, Faircloth EK, Leishman E, Bradshaw HB, Gross ER. Prostaglandin levels, vaginal innervation, and cyst innervation as peripheral contributors to endometriosis-associated vaginal hyperalgesia in rodents. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 437:120-129. [PMID: 27524411 PMCID: PMC5048574 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a painful condition characterized by growth of endometrial cysts outside the uterus. Here, we tested the hypothesis that peripheral innervation and prostaglandin levels contribute to endometriosis-associated pain. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 16) were surgically instrumented by transplanting uterine tissue onto mesenteric arteries within the peritoneal cavity to create a model of endometriosis which forms extra-uterine endometrial cysts and vaginal hyperalgesia. Our results describe a significant positive correlation between endometriosis-induced vaginal hyperalgesia and cyst innervation density (sensory, r = 0.70, p = 0.003; sympathetic, r = 0.55, p = 0.03), vaginal canal sympathetic innervation density (r = 0.80, p = 0.003), and peritoneal fluid levels of the prostaglandins PGE2 (r = 0.65, p = 0.01) and PGF2α (r = 0.63, p = 0.02). These results support the involvement of cyst innervation and prostaglandins in endometriosis-associated pain. We also describe how sympathetic innervation density of the vaginal canal is an important predictor of vaginal hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy L McAllister
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
| | - Barbra K Giourgas
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | | | - Emma Leishman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IA, 47405, USA
| | - Heather B Bradshaw
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IA, 47405, USA
| | - Eric R Gross
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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Murray AR, Atkinson L, Mahadi MK, Deuchars SA, Deuchars J. The strange case of the ear and the heart: The auricular vagus nerve and its influence on cardiac control. Auton Neurosci 2016; 199:48-53. [PMID: 27388046 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The human ear seems an unlikely candidate for therapies aimed at improving cardiac function, but the ear and the heart share a common connection: the vagus nerve. In recent years there has been increasing interest in the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN), a unique cutaneous subdivision of the vagus distributed to the external ear. Non-invasive electrical stimulation of this nerve through the skin may offer a simple, cost-effective alternative to the established method of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which requires a surgical procedure and has generated mixed results in a number of clinical trials for heart failure. This review discusses the available evidence in support of modulating cardiac activity using this strange auricular nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R Murray
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Atkinson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Mohd K Mahadi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom; Faculty of Pharmacy, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Susan A Deuchars
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Jim Deuchars
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
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Takaki F, Nakamuta N, Kusakabe T, Yamamoto Y. Sympathetic and sensory innervation of small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells in rat superior cervical ganglion. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 359:441-451. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-2051-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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