Insulin increases sensory nerve density and reflex bronchoconstriction in obese mice.

ABSTRACT: Obesity-induced asthma responds poorly to all current pharmacological interventions, including steroids, suggesting that classic, eosinophilic inflammation is not a mechanism. Since insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are common in obese individuals and associated with increased risk of asthma, we used diet-induced obese mice to study how insulin induces airway hyperreactivity. Inhaled 5-HT or methacholine induced dose-dependent bronchoconstriction that was significantly potentiated in obese mice. Cutting the vagus nerves eliminated bronchoconstriction in both obese and nonobese animals, indicating that it was mediated by a neural reflex. There was significantly greater density of airway sensory nerves in obese compared with nonobese mice. Deleting insulin receptors on sensory nerves p

SUBMITTER: Calco GN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9714782 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature