Is-there a place for vagus nerve stimulation in inflammatory bowel diseases?

ABSTRACT: The vagus nerve (VN), the longest nerve of the organism that innervates the gastrointestinal tract, is a mixed nerve composed of 80% of afferent and 20% of efferent fibers. The VN has anti-inflammatory properties, in particular an anti-TNFα effect through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. The VN is a key component of the autonomic nervous system, i.e. the parasympathetic nervous system. An imbalance of the autonomic nervous system, as represented by a low vagal tone, is described in many diseases and has a pro-inflammatory role. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract where TNFα is a key cytokine. VN stimulation (VNS), classically used for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy and depression, would be of interest in the treatment o

SUBMITTER: Bonaz B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7098256 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature