Medicinal nicotine in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome, the new corticosteroid

Figure 1 The inflammatory reflex. The above graphic demonstrates the inflammatory reflex. The afferent limb is activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1βor by pathogen-associated molecular patterns via Toll-like receptors. The afferent limb connects to the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the primary vagal afferent nuclei. The mammalian febrile response is initiated at the NTS. Interneurons connect NTS to dorsal motor nucleus of vagus (DMV) incoming signals. The DMV is the primary efferent nuclei of the vagus nerve. This efferent signal initiates an anti-inflammatory effect, reestablishing homeostasis. PAMPS: pathogen-associated molecular patterns.