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Bonaz B. Enteric neuropathy and the vagus nerve: Therapeutic implications. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024:e14842. [PMID: 38873822 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Enteric neuropathies are characterized by abnormalities of gut innervation, which includes the enteric nervous system, inducing severe gut dysmotility among other dysfunctions. Most of the gastrointestinal tract is innervated by the vagus nerve, the efferent branches of which have close interconnections with the enteric nervous system and whose afferents are distributed throughout the different layers of the digestive wall. The vagus nerve is a key element of the autonomic nervous system, involved in the stress response, at the interface of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, has anti-inflammatory and prokinetic properties, modulates intestinal permeability, and has a significant capacity of plasticity and regeneration. Targeting these properties of the vagus nerve, with vagus nerve stimulation (or non-stimulation/ pharmacological methods), could be of interest in the therapeutic management of enteric neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bonaz
- Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes-Faculté de Médecine, Grenoble, France
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Aljeradat B, Kumar D, Abdulmuizz S, Kundu M, Almealawy YF, Batarseh DR, Atallah O, Ennabe M, Alsarafandi M, Alan A, Weinand M. Neuromodulation and the Gut-Brain Axis: Therapeutic Mechanisms and Implications for Gastrointestinal and Neurological Disorders. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2024; 31:244-268. [PMID: 38804299 PMCID: PMC11130832 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology31020019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut-brain axis (GBA) represents a complex, bidirectional communication network that intricately connects the gastrointestinal tract with the central nervous system (CNS). Understanding and intervening in this axis opens a pathway for therapeutic advancements for neurological and gastrointestinal diseases where the GBA has been proposed to play a role in the pathophysiology. In light of this, the current review assesses the effectiveness of neuromodulation techniques in treating neurological and gastrointestinal disorders by modulating the GBA, involving key elements such as gut microbiota, neurotrophic factors, and proinflammatory cytokines. Through a comprehensive literature review encompassing PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, this research highlights the role played by the GBA in neurological and gastrointestinal diseases, in addition to the impact of neuromodulation on the management of these conditions which include both gastrointestinal (irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)) and neurological disorders (Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and neuropsychiatric disorders). Despite existing challenges, the ability of neuromodulation to adjust disrupted neural pathways, alleviate pain, and mitigate inflammation is significant in improving the quality of life for patients, thereby offering exciting prospects for future advancements in patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baha’ Aljeradat
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Danisha Kumar
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
| | - Sulaiman Abdulmuizz
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240003, Kwara, Nigeria
| | - Mrinmoy Kundu
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar 751029, India
| | - Yasser F. Almealawy
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Kufa P.O. Box 21, Iraq
| | - Dima Ratib Batarseh
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Oday Atallah
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michelle Ennabe
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- College of Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Muath Alsarafandi
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- College of Medicine, Islamic University of Gaza, Rafa Refugee Camp, Rafa P.O. Box 108, Palestine
- Faculty of Medicine, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza P.O. Box 108, Palestine
| | - Albert Alan
- Global Neurosurgical Alliance, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA; (B.A.); (D.K.); (S.A.); (M.K.); (Y.F.A.); (D.R.B.); (O.A.); (M.E.); (M.A.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;
- College of Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Martin Weinand
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;
- College of Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85004, USA
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Liu J, Dai Q, Qu T, Ma J, Lv C, Wang H, Yu Y. Ameliorating effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on a mouse model of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 193:106440. [PMID: 38369213 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Limited treatment options have been shown to alter the natural course of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). Therefore, safer and more effective approaches are urgently needed. We investigated the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in a mouse model of IBS-C. In the current study, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control, IBS-C model control, sham-electrostimulation (sham-ES), taVNS, and drug treatment groups. The effects of taVNS on fecal pellet number, fecal water content, and gastrointestinal transit were evaluated in IBS-C model mice. We assessed the effect of taVNS on visceral hypersensitivity using the colorectal distention test. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the fecal microbiota of the experimental groups. First, we found that taVNS increased fecal pellet number, fecal water content, and gastrointestinal transit in IBS-C model mice compared with the sham-ES group. Second, taVNS significantly decreased the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) score compared with the sham-ES group, thus relieving visceral hyperalgesia. Third, the gut microbiota outcomes showed that taVNS restored Lactobacillus abundance while increasing Bifidobacterium probiotic abundance at the genus level. Notably, taVNS increased the number of c-kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the myenteric plexus region in IBS-C mice compared with the sham-ES group. Therefore, our study indicated that taVNS effectively ameliorated IBS-C in the gut microbiota and ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Qian Dai
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Tong Qu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chaolan Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Yue Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China.
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Guo Y, Gharibani P. Analgesic Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Visceral Hypersensitivity: A Direct Comparison Between Invasive and Noninvasive Methods in Rats. Neuromodulation 2024; 27:284-294. [PMID: 37191611 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to investigate analgesic effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on visceral hypersensitivity (VH) in a rodent model of functional dyspepsia (FD) and to compare invasive VNS with noninvasive auricular VNS (aVNS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen ten-day-old male rats were gavaged with 0.1% iodoacetamide (IA) or 2% sucrose solution for six days. After eight weeks, IA-treated rats were implanted with electrodes for VNS or aVNS (n = 6 per group). Different parameters, varying in frequency and stimulation duty cycle, were tested to find the best parameter based on the improvement of VH assessed by electromyogram (EMG) during gastric distension. RESULTS Compared with sucrose-treated rats, visceral sensitivity was increased significantly in IA-treated "FD" rats and ameliorated remarkably by VNS (at 40, 60, and 80 mm Hg; p ≤ 0.02, respectively) and aVNS (at 60 and 80 mm Hg; p ≤ 0.05, respectively) with the parameter of 100 Hz and 20% duty cycle. There was no significant difference in area under the curve of EMG responses between VNS and aVNS (at 60 and 80 mm Hg, both p > 0.05). Spectral analysis of heart rate variability revealed a significant enhancement in vagal efferent activity while applying VNS/aVNS compared with sham stimulation (p < 0.01). In the presence of atropine, no significant differences were noted in EMG after VNS/aVNS. Naloxone blocked the analgesic effects of VNS/aVNS. CONCLUSIONS VNS/aVNS with optimized parameter elicits ameliorative effects on VH, mediated by autonomic and opioid mechanisms. aVNS is as effective as direct VNS and has great potential for treating visceral pain in patients with FD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Guo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Payam Gharibani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neurology, Division of Neuroimmunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Alam MJ, Chen JDZ. Non-invasive neuromodulation: an emerging intervention for visceral pain in gastrointestinal disorders. Bioelectron Med 2023; 9:27. [PMID: 37990288 PMCID: PMC10664460 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-023-00130-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, which extend from the esophagus to the anus, are the most common diseases of the GI tract. Among these disorders, pain, encompassing both abdominal and visceral pain, is a predominant feature, affecting the patients' quality of life and imposing a substantial financial burden on society. Pain signals originating from the gut intricately shape brain dynamics. In response, the brain sends appropriate descending signals to respond to pain through neuronal inhibition. However, due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease and its limited pathophysiological understanding, treatment options are minimal and often controversial. Consequently, many patients with GI disorders use complementary and alternative therapies such as neuromodulation to treat visceral pain. Neuromodulation intervenes in the central, peripheral, or autonomic nervous system by alternating or modulating nerve activity using electrical, electromagnetic, chemical, or optogenetic methodologies. Here, we review a few emerging noninvasive neuromodulation approaches with promising potential for alleviating pain associated with functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and non-cardiac chest pain. Moreover, we address critical aspects, including the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of these noninvasive neuromodulation methods, elucidate their mechanisms of action, and outline future research directions. In conclusion, the emerging field of noninvasive neuromodulation appears as a viable alternative therapeutic avenue for effectively managing visceral pain in GI disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Jahangir Alam
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Jiande D Z Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Jiang ZF, Liu G, Sun XX, Zhi N, Li XM, Sun R, Zhang H. Auricular acupressure for constipation in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1257660. [PMID: 37908337 PMCID: PMC10613998 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1257660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Auricular acupressure (AA) has been widely utilized in the management of constipation, with several studies suggesting its efficacy in treating constipation patients. However, the safety and effectiveness of AA in constipation remain uncertain. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of AA for constipation. Methods and analysis: A total of eight electronic databases and three clinical trial registration platforms were searched from their inception to April 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of AA for constipation. The included studies were appraised for quality using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Assessment tool. The quality of evidence was assessed by two independent reviewers employing the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation System (GRADE) evaluation tool. Meta-analysis of data and assessment of publication bias were performed using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 13.0 software, respectively. Results: This review included 34 randomized controlled trials conducted between 2007 and 2023, involving 2,465 participants. The findings of the study indicate that overall, AA is significantly associated with improved CSBMs (MD = 1.22, 95% CI [0.68, 1.77], p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%), BSF (MD = 0.72, 95%CI: [0.15,1.28], p = 0.01, I2 = 82%), CAS (MD = -3.28, 95%CI: [-5.95, -0.60], p = 0.02, I2 = 80%), responder rate (RR = 1.27, 95%CI: [1.16, 1.38], p < 0.00001, I2 = 79%), cure rate (RR = 1.84, 95% CI [1.56, 2.15], p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%), and PAC-QOL (MD = -2.73, 95% CI: [-3.41, -2.04], p < 0.00001, I2 = 98%) compared to the control group. However, no difference in PAC-SYM (MD = -0.15, 95%CI: [-0.38,0.07], p = 0.19, I2 = 67%) was found between the two groups. Additionally, there was no significant difference in adverse events (RR = 0.53, 95% CI: [0.24, 1.21], p = 0.13, I2 = 38%). Conclusion: Based on the available evidence, auricular acupressure appears to be a potentially safe and effective intervention for managing constipation in adults. Nonetheless, the overall quality of evidence for the identified outcomes was assessed as low to very low, highlighting the need for additional high-quality randomized controlled trials to further validate these findings. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42023425033.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hong Zhang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Fallahi MS, Azadnajafabad S, Maroufi SF, Pour-Rashidi A, Khorasanizadeh M, Sattari SA, Faramarzi S, Slavin KV. Application of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. World Neurosurg 2023; 174:11-24. [PMID: 36858292 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.02.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a prevalent devastating condition causing significant morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. The pathophysiology of SCI involves ischemia, neuroinflammation, cell death, and scar formation. Due to the lack of definitive therapy for SCI, interventions mainly focus on rehabilitation to reduce deterioration and improve the patient's quality of life. Currently, rehabilitative exercises and neuromodulation methods such as functional electrical stimulation, epidural electrical stimulation, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are being tested in patients with SCI. Other spinal stimulation techniques are being developed and tested in animal models. However, often these methods require complex surgical procedures and solely focus on motor function. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is currently used in patients with epilepsy, depression, and migraine and is being investigated for its application in other disorders. In animal models of SCI, VNS significantly improved locomotor function by ameliorating inflammation and improving plasticity, suggesting its use in human subjects. SCI patients also suffer from nonmotor complications, including pain, gastrointestinal dysfunction, cardiovascular disorders, and chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes. VNS has shown promising results in alleviating these conditions in non-SCI patients, which makes it a possible therapeutic option in SCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sadegh Fallahi
- Neurosurgical Research Network (NRN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Azadnajafabad
- Neurosurgical Research Network (NRN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Department of Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Farzad Maroufi
- Neurosurgical Research Network (NRN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Pour-Rashidi
- Neurosurgical Research Network (NRN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Department of Neurosurgery, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - MirHojjat Khorasanizadeh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shahab Aldin Sattari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sina Faramarzi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Konstantin V Slavin
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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Chen JD. Parasympathetic control of gastrointestinal motility and cross-branch actions of parasympathetic neuromodulation. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:53-55. [PMID: 36878003 PMCID: PMC10106197 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jiande Dz Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Raj PL, Sheldon RS, Lorenzetti D, Jardine DL, Raj SR, Vandenberk B. Sleep syncope-A systematic review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:973368. [PMID: 36277790 PMCID: PMC9582595 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.973368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sleep syncope is a subtype of vasovagal syncope in which patients experience syncope after awakening from their sleep. The aim was to investigate the association of clinical characteristics and gastrointestinal symptoms with syncope, as well as the body position in which symptoms began. Methods A systematic search of studies was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE without language restrictions, from inception to 9 January 2022. Studies were included if they reported data on the proportion of patients who experienced symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea) associated with syncope. Results Data were included for 116 patients in 13 studies. Patients were 46.9 ± 4.3 years and 61.4% were female. In 52.5% of patients, a supine body position at the time of syncope was reported. A history of phobias was reported by 67.6% of patients, and 96.5% of patients also had typical daytime vasovagal syncope. In the 5 studies reporting the results of head-up tilt testing (n = 77), 90.9% of patients had positive tests. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in the majority of patients with reported rates of 65.6% for upper gastrointestinal symptoms and 86.0% for lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion Patients with sleep syncope patients are predominantly female with a history of daytime vasovagal syncope. Gastrointestinal symptoms are present in the majority of patients and is therefore an important feature of sleep syncope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya L. Raj
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Robert S. Sheldon
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Diane Lorenzetti
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Health Sciences Library, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - David L. Jardine
- Department of General Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Satish R. Raj
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Bert Vandenberk
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,*Correspondence: Bert Vandenberk, ; orcid.org/0000-0001-8296-920X
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Shi X, Hu Y, Zhang B, Li W, Chen JD, Liu F. Ameliorating effects and mechanisms of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation on abdominal pain and constipation. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e150052. [PMID: 34138761 PMCID: PMC8410029 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.150052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundAbdominal pain and constipation are 2 main symptoms in patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). This study aimed to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) in patients with IBS-C.MethodsForty-two patients with IBS-C were randomized into a 4-week sham-taVNS or taVNS treatment. The primary outcomes were complete spontaneous bowel movements per week (CSBMs/week) and visual analog scale (VAS) for abdominal pain. High-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) was performed to evaluate anorectal motor and sensory function. Cytokines and brain gut peptides were analyzed in blood samples. ECG was recorded for the assessment of autonomic function.ResultsCompared with sham-taVNS, (a) taVNS increased CSBMs/week (P = 0.001) and decreased VAS pain score (P = 0.001); (b) improved quality of life (P = 0.020) and decreased IBS symptom score (P = 0.001); (c) improved rectoanal inhibitory reflex (P = 0.014) and improved rectal sensation (P < 0.04); (d) decreased a number of proinflammatory cytokines and serotonin in circulation; and (e) enhanced vagal activity (P = 0.040). The vagal activity was weakly correlated with the CSBMs/week (r = 0.391; P = 0.010) and the VAS pain score (r = -0.347; P = 0.025).ConclusionsNoninvasive taVNS improves both constipation and abdominal pain in patients with IBS-C. The improvement in IBS-C symptoms might be attributed to the integrative effects of taVNS on intestinal functions mediated via the autoimmune mechanisms.Trial registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, no. ChiCTR2000029644.FundingNational Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 81970538 for FL).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yedong Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the 928th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Wenna Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiande Dz Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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