Role of physical exercise, vagal nerve stimulation, and vagotomy in inflammatory bowel disease

Figure 2 Schematic representation of the modulatory effects on intestinal inflammation by three different interventions: Physical exercise (left), vagus nerve stimulation (lower right), and subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (upper right). Physical exercise and vagus nerve stimulation promote protective effects through increased vagal tone and activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. In contrast, vagotomy disrupts this pathway, leading to reduced protective effects and potential exacerbation of intestinal inflammation. IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease; GI: Gastrointestinal.