Neural reflex control of immunity: the splanchnic anti‐inflammatory pathway (875.1)

Abstract

Exaggerated or insufficient inflammatory responses can both be life threatening, and the nervous system helps maintain inflammation within appropriate limits. It is believed that the parasympathetic vagus nerve acts via the splenic sympathetic nerve to down‐regulate the cytokine response to immune challenge. Here we report that the systemic inflammatory response in rats, measured by plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α 90 minutes after intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 60μg/kg), was unaffected by vagotomy but was enhanced five‐fold if the splanchnic sympathetic nerves were cut. Plasma corticosterone levels were unaffected, so did not contribute. Electrophysiological recordings demons..