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Abdominal vagus nerve stimulation as a new therapeutic approach to prevent postoperative ileus
Author(s) -
Stakenborg N.,
Wolthuis A. M.,
GomezPinilla P. J.,
Farro G.,
Di Giovangiulio M.,
Bosmans G.,
Labeeuw E.,
Verhaegen M.,
Depoortere I.,
D'Hoore A.,
Matteoli G.,
Boeckxstaens G. E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/nmo.13075
Subject(s) - vagus nerve stimulation , medicine , abdominal surgery , ileus , abdominal cavity , anesthesia , stimulation , vagus nerve , surgery
Background Electrical stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve ( VNS ) prevents postoperative ileus ( POI ) in mice. As this approach requires an additional cervical procedure, we explored the possibility of peroperative abdominal VNS in mice and human. Methods The effect of cervical and abdominal VNS was studied in a murine model of POI and lipopolysaccharide ( LPS )‐induced sepsis. Postoperative ileus was quantified by assessment of intestinal transit of fluorescent dextran expressed as geometric center ( GC ). Next, the effect of cervical and abdominal VNS on heart rate was determined in eight Landrace pigs to select the optimal electrode for VNS in human. Finally, the effect of sham or abdominal VNS on LPS ‐induced cytokine production of whole blood was studied in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Key Results Similar to cervical VNS , abdominal VNS significantly decreased LPS ‐induced serum tumor necrosis factor‐α ( TNF α) levels (abdominal VNS : 366±33 pg/mL vs sham: 822±105 pg/mL; P <.01). In line, in a murine model of POI , abdominal VNS significantly improved intestinal transit ( GC : sham 5.1±0.2 vs abdominal VNS : 7.8±0.6; P <.01) and reduced intestinal inflammation (abdominal VNS : 35±7 vs sham: 80±8 myeloperoxidase positive cells/field; P <.05). In pigs, heart rate was reduced by cervical VNS but not by abdominal VNS . In humans, abdominal VNS significantly reduced LPS ‐induced IL 8 and IL 6 production by whole blood. Conclusions & Inferences Abdominal VNS is feasible and safe in humans and has anti‐inflammatory properties. As abdominal VNS improves POI similar to cervical VNS in mice, our data indicate that peroperative abdominal VNS may represent a novel approach to shorten POI in man.