Acute sub-diaphragmatic anterior vagus nerve stimulation increases peripheral glucose uptake in anaesthetized rats

C.W. Hoornenborg; T.H. van Dijk; J.E. Bruggink; A.P. van Beek; G. van Dijk

IBRO Neuroscience Reports (Dec 2023)

Acute sub-diaphragmatic anterior vagus nerve stimulation increases peripheral glucose uptake in anaesthetized rats

C.W. Hoornenborg,
T.H. van Dijk,
J.E. Bruggink,
A.P. van Beek,
G. van Dijk

Affiliations

C.W. Hoornenborg: Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
T.H. van Dijk: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
J.E. Bruggink: Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
A.P. van Beek: Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
G. van Dijk: Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Correspondence to: Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC Groningen, the Netherlands.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15
pp. 50 – 56

Abstract

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The sub-diaphragmatic vagus innervates various organs involved in the control of glucose homeostasis including the liver, pancreas and the intestines. In the current study, we investigated the effect of acute electrical stimulation of the anterior trunk of the sub-diaphragmatic vagus on glucose fluxes in anaesthetized adult male rats.After overnight fast, rats underwent either vagus nerve stimulation (VNS+, n = 11; rectangular pulses at 5 Hz, 1.5 mA, 1 msec pulse width) or sham stimulation (VNS-; n = 11) for 120 min under isoflurane anesthesia. Before stimulation, the rats received an i.v. bolus of 1 mL/kg of a sterilized aqueous solution containing 125 mg/mL of D-[6,6-2H2] glucose. Endogenous glucose production (EGP) and glucose clearance rate (GCR) were calculated by kinetic analysis from the wash-out of injected D-[6,6–2H2]glucose from the circulation.VNS+ resulted in lower glucose levels compared to the VNS- group (p < 0.05), with similar insulin levels. EGP was similar in both groups, but the GCR was higher in the VNS+ group compared to the VNS- group (p < 0.001). Circulating levels of the sympathetic transmitter norepinephrine were reduced by VNS+ relative to VNS- treatment (p < 0.01).It is concluded that acute anterior sub-diaphragmatic VNS causes stimulation of peripheral glucose uptake, while plasma insulin levels remained similar, and this is associated with lower activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

Published in IBRO Neuroscience Reports

ISSN: 2667-2421 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ibro-neuroscience-reports

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