Effects of Stimulation of the Vagus Nerve on Insulin Secretion

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of the peripheral cut end of the vagus nerve at cervical and diaphragmatic levels was performed to study its effects on plasma insulin concentrations in anesthetized dogs. Stimulation of the right and left cervical vagus and of the dorsal vagal trunk induced an immediate significant elevation in immunoreactive insulin concentrations in pancreatic effluent plasma, whereas stimulation of the ventral vagal trunk did not. A significant enhancement of immunoreactive insulin in femoral venous plasma was also seen in the first 3 groups, but the peak occurred somewhat later than in pancreatic venous plasma. The increases in immunoreactive insulin were not followed by decreases in blood sugar levels.