Zhuang J, Bailet D, Curtis R, Xu F. High-frequency electrical stimulation of cervical vagi reduces airway response to methacholine. World J Respirol 2013; 3(2): 11-19 [DOI: 10.5320/wjr.v3.i2.11]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dr. Fadi Xu, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Pathophysiology Program, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, United States. fxu@lrri.org
Research Domain of This Article
Respiratory System
Article-Type of This Article
Original Article
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World J Respirol. Jul 28, 2013; 3(2): 11-19 Published online Jul 28, 2013. doi: 10.5320/wjr.v3.i2.11
High-frequency electrical stimulation of cervical vagi reduces airway response to methacholine
Jianguo Zhuang, Daniel Bailet, Robert Curtis, Fadi Xu
Jianguo Zhuang, Fadi Xu, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Pathophysiology Program, Albuquerque, NM 87108, United States
Daniel Bailet, Robert Curtis, NeuroStimulation Technologies, Inc., Albuquerque, NM 87108, United States
Author contributions: Zhuang J and Xu F performed the majority of experiments, data analysis and statistics, manuscript preparation and revision; Bailet D, Curtis R, and Xu F involved in the study design and endeavored to obtain financial support.
Supported by RO1 HL107462 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, and NeuroStimulation Techologies, Inc. Albuquerque, NM
Correspondence to: Dr. Fadi Xu, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Pathophysiology Program, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, United States. fxu@lrri.org
Telephone: +1-505-3489565 Fax: +1-505-3488567
Received: February 20, 2013 Revised: May 31, 2013 Accepted: June 18, 2013 Published online: July 28, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: In summary, our study revealed that vagal high-frequency electrical stimulation (HES) significantly suppressed the airway response to methacholine (MCh) more greatly in the ovalbumin- than saline-treated animals, while vagal low-frequency electrical stimulation always increased airway resistance. Importantly, the HES-evoked bronchodilation during MCh challenge is concomitant with the on-and-off electrical stimulation and with no effect on cardiovascular activity. These, along with the greatly blunted airway resistance response to MCh after bivagotomy, suggest that vagal HES may be a potentially useful approach in alleviating asthmatic bronchoconstriction (likely via reversible inhibition or blockade of the vagal nerve conduction).
