Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2015, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (4): 576-582.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.155430

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Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve protects against cerebral ischemic injury through an anti-inflammatory mechanism

Yao-xian Xiang 1, Wen-xin Wang 1, Zhe Xue 1, Lei Zhu 2, Sheng-bao Wang 1, Zheng-hui Sun 1   

  1. 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
    2 Department of Radiology, Beijing Electric Power Hospit, Beijng, China
  • Received:2015-03-24 Online:2015-04-22 Published:2015-04-22
  • Contact: Zheng-hui Sun, M.D., szh@sina.com.cn
  • Supported by:

    This study was supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 7122164.

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Abstract:

Vagus nerve stimulation exerts protective effects against ischemic brain injury; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia was established using the occlusion method, and the right vagus nerve was given electrical stimulation (constant current of 0.5 mA; pulse width, 0.5 ms; frequency, 20 Hz; duration, 30 seconds; every 5 minutes for a total of 60 minutes) 30 minutes, 12 hours, and 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery. Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve substantially reduced infarct volume, improved neurological function, and decreased the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in rats with focal cerebral ischemia. The experimental findings indicate that the neuroprotective effect of vagus nerve stimulation following cerebral ischemia may be associated with the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 expression.

Key words: nerve regeneration, vagus nerve stimulation, cerebral ischemia, inflammatory cytokines, infarct volume, neurological function, NSFC grants, neural regeneration