Vagal Tone

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Sonia Pellissier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Vagal Tone effects on sensitivity motility and inflammation
    Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 2016
    Co-Authors: Bruno Bonaz, Valerie Sinniger, Sonia Pellissier
    Abstract:

    The vagus nerve (VN) is a key element of the autonomic nervous system. As a mixed nerve, the VN contributes to the bidirectional interactions between the brain and the gut, i.e., the brain-gut axis. In particular, after integration in the central autonomic network of peripheral sensations such as inflammation and pain via Vagal and spinal afferents, an efferent response through modulation of preganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and/or preganglionic sympathetic neurons of the spinal cord is able to modulate gastrointestinal nociception, motility, and inflammation. A low Vagal Tone, as assessed by heart rate variability, a marker of the sympatho-Vagal balance, is observed in functional digestive disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases. To restore a normal Vagal Tone appears as a goal in such diseases. Among the therapeutic tools, such as drugs targeting the cholinergic system and/or complementary medicine (hypnosis, meditation…), deep breathing, physical exercise, VN stimulation (VNS), either invasive or non-invasive, appears as innovative. There is new evidence in the current issue of this Journal supporting the role of VNS in the modulation of gastrointestinal functions.

  • relationship between Vagal Tone cortisol tnf alpha epinephrine and negative affects in crohn s disease and irritable bowel syndrome
    PLOS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Alicia Fournier
    Abstract:

    Crohn’s disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8∶00 AM and 10∶00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = −0.48; p<0.05) was observed between the Vagal Tone and TNF-alpha level in CD patients exclusively. In contrast, in IBS patients, Vagal Tone was inversely correlated with plasma epinephrine (r = −0.39; p<0.05). No relationship was observed between Vagal Tone and IL-6, norepinephrine or negative affects (anxiety and depressive symptomatology) in any group. In conclusion, these data argue for an imbalance between the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the Vagal Tone in CD and IBS patients. Furthermore, they highlight the specific homeostatic link between Vagal Tone and TNF-alpha in CD and epinephrine in IBS and argue for the relevance of vagus nerve reinforcement interventions in those diseases.

  • Relationship between Vagal Tone, Cortisol, TNF-Alpha, Epinephrine and Negative Affects in Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    PLoS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Alicia Fournier, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Fr�d�ric Canini
    Abstract:

    Crohn's disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = -0.48; p

  • Relationship between Vagal Tone, Cortisol, TNF-alpha, epinephrine and negative affects in Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome
    PLoS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Alicia Fournier, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Fr�d�ric Canini
    Abstract:

    Crohn's disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = -0.48; p

Christina Brock - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • cardiac Vagal Tone a non invasive measure of parasympathetic Tone is a clinically relevant tool in type 1 diabetes mellitus
    Diabetic Medicine, 2017
    Co-Authors: Christina Brock, N. C. Jessen, Birgitte Brock, Poul Erik Jakobsen, Torben Hansen, Jukka Rantanen, Sam Riahi, Yoanna Krasimirova Dimitrova
    Abstract:

    Aims To compare a novel index of parasympathetic Tone, cardiac Vagal Tone, with established autonomic variables and to test the hypotheses that (1) cardiac Vagal Tone would be associated with established time and frequency domain measures of heart rate and (2) cardiac Vagal Tone would be lower in people with Type 1 diabetes than in a matched healthy cohort and lower still in people with established neuropathy. Methods Cardiac Vagal Tone is a validated cardiometrically derived index of parasympathetic Tone. It is measured using a standard three-lead electrocardiogram which connects, via Bluetooth, to a smartphone application. A 5-min resting recording of cardiac Vagal Tone was undertaken and observational comparisons were made between 42 people with Type 1 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy and 23 without peripheral neuropathy and 65 healthy people. In those with neuropathy, 24-h heart rate variability values were compared with cardiac Vagal Tone. Correlations between cardiac Vagal Tone and clinical variables were also made. Results Cardiac Vagal Tone was lower in people with established neuropathy and Type 1 diabetes in comparison with healthy participants [median (interquartile range) linear Vagal scale 3.4 (1.6–5.5 vs 7.0 (5.5–9.6); P<0.0001]. Cardiac Vagal Tone was positively associated with time (r=0.8, P<0.0001) and frequency domain markers of heart rate variability (r=0.75, P<0.0001), representing established measures of parasympathetic function. Cardiac Vagal Tone was negatively associated with age (r=–0.32, P=0.003), disease duration (r=–0.43, P<0.0001) and cardiovascular risk score (r=–0.32, P=0.006). Conclusions Cardiac Vagal Tone represents a convenient, clinically relevant method, potentially facilitating the earlier identification of people with Type 1 diabetes who should undergo formal autonomic function testing. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  • Cardiac Vagal Tone, a non-invasive measure of parasympathetic Tone, is a clinically relevant tool in Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
    Diabetic Medicine, 2017
    Co-Authors: Christina Brock, N. C. Jessen, Birgitte Brock, Poul Erik Jakobsen, Torben Hansen, Jukka Rantanen, Sam Riahi, Yoanna Krasimirova Dimitrova, A Dons-jensen, Qasim Aziz
    Abstract:

    Aims To compare a novel index of parasympathetic Tone, cardiac Vagal Tone, with established autonomic variables and to test the hypotheses that (1) cardiac Vagal Tone would be associated with established time and frequency domain measures of heart rate and (2) cardiac Vagal Tone would be lower in people with Type 1 diabetes than in a matched healthy cohort and lower still in people with established neuropathy. Methods Cardiac Vagal Tone is a validated cardiometrically derived index of parasympathetic Tone. It is measured using a standard three-lead electrocardiogram which connects, via Bluetooth, to a smartphone application. A 5-min resting recording of cardiac Vagal Tone was undertaken and observational comparisons were made between 42 people with Type 1 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy and 23 without peripheral neuropathy and 65 healthy people. In those with neuropathy, 24-h heart rate variability values were compared with cardiac Vagal Tone. Correlations between cardiac Vagal Tone and clinical variables were also made. Results Cardiac Vagal Tone was lower in people with established neuropathy and Type 1 diabetes in comparison with healthy participants [median (interquartile range) linear Vagal scale 3.4 (1.6–5.5 vs 7.0 (5.5–9.6); P

  • modulation of Vagal Tone enhances gastroduodenal motility and reduces somatic pain sensitivity
    Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 2016
    Co-Authors: Jens Brondum Frokjaer, Christina Brock, Sigrid Bergmann, Adnan Madzak, Adam D Farmer, Jens Ellrich, Asbjorn Mohr Drewes
    Abstract:

    Background The parasympathetic nervous system, whose main neural substrate is the vagus nerve, exerts a fundamental antinociceptive role and influences gastrointestinal sensori-motor function. Our research question was to whether combined electrical and physiological modulation of Vagal Tone, using transcutaneous electrical Vagal nerve stimulation (t-VNS) and deep slow breathing (DSB) respectively, could increase musculoskeletal pain thresholds and enhance gastroduodenal motility in healthy subjects. Methods Eighteen healthy subjects were randomized to a subject-blinded, sham-controlled, cross-over study with an active protocol including stimulation of auricular branch of the vagus nerve, and breathing at full inspiratory capacity and forced full expiration. Recording of cardiac derived parameters including cardiac Vagal Tone, moderate pain thresholds to muscle, and bone pressure algometry, conditioned pain modulation using a cold pressor test and a liquid meal ultrasonographic gastroduodenal motility test were performed. Key Results Cardiac Vagal Tone increased during active treatment with t-VNS and DSB compared to sham (p = 0.009). In comparison to sham, thresholds to bone pain increased (p = 0.001), frequency of antral contractions increased (p = 0.004) and gastroduodenal motility index increased (p = 0.016) with active treatment. However, no effect on muscle pain thresholds and conditioned pain modulation was seen. Conclusions & Inferences This experimental study suggests that this noninvasive approach with combined electrical and physiological modulation of Vagal Tone enhances gastroduodenal motility and reduces somatic pain sensitivity. These findings warrant further investigation in patients with disorders characterized with chronic pain and gastrointestinal dysmotility such as functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome.

Alicia Fournier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Relationship between Vagal Tone, Cortisol, TNF-Alpha, Epinephrine and Negative Affects in Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    PLoS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Alicia Fournier, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Fr�d�ric Canini
    Abstract:

    Crohn's disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = -0.48; p

  • relationship between Vagal Tone cortisol tnf alpha epinephrine and negative affects in crohn s disease and irritable bowel syndrome
    PLOS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Alicia Fournier
    Abstract:

    Crohn’s disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8∶00 AM and 10∶00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = −0.48; p<0.05) was observed between the Vagal Tone and TNF-alpha level in CD patients exclusively. In contrast, in IBS patients, Vagal Tone was inversely correlated with plasma epinephrine (r = −0.39; p<0.05). No relationship was observed between Vagal Tone and IL-6, norepinephrine or negative affects (anxiety and depressive symptomatology) in any group. In conclusion, these data argue for an imbalance between the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the Vagal Tone in CD and IBS patients. Furthermore, they highlight the specific homeostatic link between Vagal Tone and TNF-alpha in CD and epinephrine in IBS and argue for the relevance of vagus nerve reinforcement interventions in those diseases.

  • Relationship between Vagal Tone, Cortisol, TNF-alpha, epinephrine and negative affects in Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome
    PLoS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Alicia Fournier, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Fr�d�ric Canini
    Abstract:

    Crohn's disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = -0.48; p

Fr�d�ric Canini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Relationship between Vagal Tone, Cortisol, TNF-Alpha, Epinephrine and Negative Affects in Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    PLoS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Alicia Fournier, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Fr�d�ric Canini
    Abstract:

    Crohn's disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = -0.48; p

  • Relationship between Vagal Tone, Cortisol, TNF-alpha, epinephrine and negative affects in Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome
    PLoS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Alicia Fournier, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Fr�d�ric Canini
    Abstract:

    Crohn's disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = -0.48; p

Candice Trocme - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Relationship between Vagal Tone, Cortisol, TNF-Alpha, Epinephrine and Negative Affects in Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    PLoS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Alicia Fournier, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Fr�d�ric Canini
    Abstract:

    Crohn's disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = -0.48; p

  • relationship between Vagal Tone cortisol tnf alpha epinephrine and negative affects in crohn s disease and irritable bowel syndrome
    PLOS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Alicia Fournier
    Abstract:

    Crohn’s disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8∶00 AM and 10∶00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = −0.48; p<0.05) was observed between the Vagal Tone and TNF-alpha level in CD patients exclusively. In contrast, in IBS patients, Vagal Tone was inversely correlated with plasma epinephrine (r = −0.39; p<0.05). No relationship was observed between Vagal Tone and IL-6, norepinephrine or negative affects (anxiety and depressive symptomatology) in any group. In conclusion, these data argue for an imbalance between the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the Vagal Tone in CD and IBS patients. Furthermore, they highlight the specific homeostatic link between Vagal Tone and TNF-alpha in CD and epinephrine in IBS and argue for the relevance of vagus nerve reinforcement interventions in those diseases.

  • Relationship between Vagal Tone, Cortisol, TNF-alpha, epinephrine and negative affects in Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome
    PLoS ONE, 2014
    Co-Authors: Sonia Pellissier, Cécile Dantzer, Candice Trocme, Nicolas Mathieu, Bertrand Toussaint, Alicia Fournier, Laurie Mondillon, Anne-sophie Gauchez, Veronique Ducros, Fr�d�ric Canini
    Abstract:

    Crohn's disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve brain-gut dysfunctions where vagus nerve is an important component. The aim of this work was to study the association between Vagal Tone and markers of stress and inflammation in patients with CD or IBS compared to healthy subjects (controls). The study was performed in 73 subjects (26 controls, 21 CD in remission and 26 IBS patients). The day prior to the experiment, salivary cortisol was measured at 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The day of the experiment, subjects completed questionnaires for anxiety (STAI) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). After 30 min of rest, ECG was recorded for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured in blood samples taken at the end of ECG recording. Compared with controls, CD and IBS patients had higher scores of state-anxiety and depressive symptomatology. A subgroup classification based on HRV-normalized high frequency band (HFnu) as a marker of Vagal Tone, showed that control subjects with high Vagal Tone had significantly lower evening salivary cortisol levels than subjects with low Vagal Tone. Such an effect was not observed in CD and IBS patients. Moreover, an inverse association (r = -0.48; p