Review
Neurosciences
Hui Li, Amanda J. Page
Summary: The vagus nerve is crucial in the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, and its dysfunction may contribute to functional dyspepsia. Understanding the alteration in vagal signaling and its pathophysiological roles may provide insights for new therapeutic treatments of this disorder.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kakeru Hosomoto, Tatsuya Sasaki, Takao Yasuhara, Masahiro Kameda, Susumu Sasada, Ittetsu Kin, Ken Kuwahara, Satoshi Kawauchi, Yosuke Okazaki, Satoru Yabuno, Chiaki Sugahara, Koji Kawai, Takayuki Nagase, Shun Tanimoto, Cesario V. Borlongan, Isao Date
Summary: This study investigated the effects of continuous and selective stimulation of the vagus nerve on Parkinsonian rats. The results showed that continuous stimulation had better therapeutic effects, reducing behavioral impairments and inflammatory glial cells. Furthermore, the study highlighted the crucial role of the afferent vagal pathway in mediating these therapeutic outcomes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marian Kollarik, Fei Ru, Nikoleta Pavelkova, John Mulcahy, John Hunter, Bradley J. Undem
Summary: The study found that selective Na(V)1.7 blockers can effectively inhibit the C-wave of compound action potentials and parasympathetic cholinergic contractions in human isolated bronchi. In addition, Na(V)1.7 mRNA was found to be strongly expressed and transported down the vagus nerve bundles.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sunhye Lee, Michael L. Goodson, Wendie Vang, Jennifer Rutkowsky, Karen Kalanetra, Mrittika Bhattacharya, Daniela Barile, Helen E. Raybould
Summary: The study found that supplementation with 2'-FL improved metabolic profiles, gut barrier integrity, and signaling in the vagal afferent pathway, but had no significant effect on cognitive function.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Helen E. Raybould, Danielle L. Zumpano
Summary: The gut microbiota influences energy balance through effects on energy intake and expenditure, and may be a target for obesity therapies. Microbes communicate using small molecules, some of which may act as ligands at mammalian receptors, potentially affecting communication with the host.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Hui Li, Georgia S. Clarke, Stewart Christie, Sharon R. Ladyman, Stephen J. Kentish, Richard L. Young, Kathryn L. Gatford, Amanda J. Page
Summary: This study shows that gastric vagal afferent signaling is attenuated during pregnancy and is inversely associated with meal size. Growth hormone reduces the mechanosensitivity of gastric vagal afferents, suggesting that increased maternal growth hormone levels may play a role in mediating adaptations in gastric vagal afferent signaling during pregnancy. These findings have significant implications for the peripheral control of food intake during pregnancy.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mingwei Yu, Crystal Chang, Bradley J. Undem, Shaoyong Yu
Summary: Heartburn and non-cardiac chest pain are common symptoms in esophageal disorders. This review focuses on the role of capsaicin-sensitive vagal primary afferent nodose and jugular C-fiber neurons in processing nociceptive signals in the esophagus, and discusses the effects of various stimuli on these nerve subtypes. Understanding the mechanism of nociceptive signal processes in esophageal nerves may lead to novel treatment approaches for esophageal symptoms.
Review
Neurosciences
Valerie Y. H. van Weperen, Marmar Vaseghi
Summary: The control of cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic tone plays a crucial role in regulating cardiac function. This control relies on sensory information transmitted from the heart to the central nervous system. The vagus nerve, which contains vagal cardiac afferent fibers, carries this sensory information to the brainstem. While vagal afferent signaling has been shown to increase parasympathetic response, it appears to change after cardiac injury, with many unknowns remaining. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of cardiac vagal afferent signaling in health and cardiovascular disease, particularly after myocardial infarction, and highlight remaining knowledge gaps.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mette Q. Ludwig, Wenwen Cheng, Desiree Gordian, Julie Lee, Sarah J. Paulsen, Stine N. Hansen, Kristoffer L. Egerod, Pernille Barkholt, Christopher J. Rhodes, Anna Secher, Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, Charles Pyke, Martin G. Myers, Tune H. Pers
Summary: The study indicates that DVC neuronal populations associated with obesity predisposition can suppress feeding, making them potential therapeutic targets for obesity treatment. By activating some of these neuronal populations, feeding in rodents can be decreased, highlighting their importance in regulating energy balance.
Review
Neurosciences
Amanda J. Page
Summary: Gastrointestinal vagal afferents play a crucial role in regulating food intake by responding to short-term and long-term changes in nutritional demand. However, this plasticity is disrupted in disease states such as obesity and chronic stress.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jaspreet K. Bassi, Angela A. Connelly, Andrew G. Butler, Yehe Liu, Anahita Ghanbari, David G. S. Farmer, Michael W. Jenkins, Mariana R. Melo, Stuart J. McDougall, Andrew M. Allen
Summary: Anatomical tracing studies using a selective adeno-associated virus serotype were used to map the location and termination sites of vagal afferents within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). The results showed overlapping central termination patterns of afferents from different organs and convergence of vagal inputs onto single NTS neurons. Additionally, the study found multiple synaptic connections formed by vagal afferents as they pass through the NTS, suggesting a widespread distribution of viscerosensory information within the NTS.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paolo Tucci, Roberta Lattanzi, Cinzia Severini, Luciano Saso
Summary: In this review, we present the scientific literature supporting the role of nuclear transcription factor-2 (Nrf2) in Huntington's disease (HD) and the potential prophylactic and therapeutic role of this compound.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hui-hui Zhou, Ye-ming Zhang, Sheng-peng Zhang, Qi-xiang Xu, Ya-qing Tian, Ping Li, Di Cao, Yong-qiu Zheng
Summary: The research highlights the role of PTRF in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) development and its involvement in stimulating TLR4 signaling pathways. Knockdown of PTRF reduced inflammatory injury in HCoEpiCs and alleviated symptoms and weight loss in PI-IBS rats.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ping Cao, Wangmeng Zhang, Xue Kong, Ning Gao, Xuan Zhao, Rui Xu
Summary: The interaction of hypertension and HHcy can lead to enhanced cardiac remodeling, especially in hypertensive rats. HHcy promotes cardiac remodeling by enhancing oxidative stress, suppressing the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and inhibiting Nrf2 nuclear transport, with a stronger inhibitory effect in the presence of hypertension.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Suo Zou, Takahiro Shimizu, Atsushi Kurabayashi, Masaki Yamamoto, Shogo Shimizu, Youichirou Higashi, Nobutaka Shimizu, Takashi Karashima, Motoaki Saito
Summary: In this study, it was found that hydrogen sulfide pretreatment can prevent bladder dysfunction caused by cyclophosphamide treatment by suppressing the activity of bladder afferent nerves, rather than by inhibiting bladder inflammation. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide may be a new candidate as a protective drug for bladder dysfunction induced by cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.
NITRIC OXIDE-BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)