Electric vagal nerve stimulation inhibits inflammation and improves early postoperation cognitive dysfunction in aged rats.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:This study aimed to evaluate effects of electric vagal nerve stimulation on early postoperation cognitive dysfunction in aged rats. METHODS:A total of 33 male Sprague Dawley rats were selected and assigned randomly to three groups, control group (C, n?=?10), splenectomy group (S, n?=?10) and splenectomy+vagal nerve stimulation group (SV, n?=?13). Behavior and memory of rats were evaluated by Open Field Test and Morris Water Maze. Levels of TNF-?, IL-6 and IL-10 in serum were measured by ELISA. The level of TNF-? protein in hippocampus was assessed by Western blotting. rt-PCR was used to detect mRNA expression of NF-?B in hippocampus. RESULTS:During anesthesia/operation, vital life signs of rats were stable. In SV group, vagal nerve stimulation decreased heart rate lower than 10% of basic level and kept it at a stable range by regulating stimulation intensity. After stimulation stop, heart rate returned to the basic level again. This indicated that the model of vagal nerve stimulation was successful. Serum levels of TNF-? and IL-6 increased by the operation/anesthesia, but they decreased with vagal nerve stimulation (all P?

SUBMITTER: Xiong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6875068 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature