Reflex control of inflammation by sympathetic nerves, not the vagus

摘要: We investigated a neural reflex that controls the strength of inflammatory responses to immune challenge - reflex. In anaesthetized rats challenged with intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 60 μg kg(-1)), we found strong increases in plasma levels key mediator tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) 90 min later. Those were unaffected by previous bilateral cervical vagotomy, but enhanced approximately 5-fold if greater splanchnic sympathetic nerves had been cut. Sham surgery no effect, and corticosterone nerve sections, so could not explain this result. Electrophysiological recordings demonstrated efferent activity its splenic branch was strongly increased LPS treatment. Splenic dependent on inputs from nerves: vagotomy effect either nerve. Together, these data demonstrate dose activates is powerful enough cause an 80% suppression acute systemic response. The arm nerves, vagi as previously proposed. As other physiological challenge, afferent pathway presumptively humoral: present show vagal afferents play measurable part. Because inflammation sits at gateway responses, important role function well diseases.