title: The vagus nerve and the inflammatory reflex--linking immunity and metabolism.
abstract: The vagus nerve has an important role in regulation of metabolic homeostasis, and efferent vagus nerve-mediated cholinergic signalling controls immune function and proinflammatory responses via the inflammatory reflex. Dysregulation of metabolism and immune function in obesity are associated with chronic inflammation, a critical step in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cholinergic mechanisms within the inflammatory reflex have, in the past 2 years, been implicated in attenuating obesity-related inflammation and metabolic complications. This knowledge has led to the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of obesity-related disorders.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomedical Science, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA. vpavlov@nshs.edu
authors.forename: Valentin A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Pavlov
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Tracey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*