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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Implantation Surgery for Abdominal Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Recording Studies in Awake Rats
Published on: January 19, 2024
Does vagal nerve stimulation affect body composition and metabolism? Experimental study of a new potential technique
Jacek Sobocki1, Gilles Fourtanier, Joan Estany
1Department of Digestive Surgery, CHU Rangueil, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. jsobocki@cm-uj.krakow.pl
Background:
It has been shown that vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) can affect body mass. The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of VNS on body mass, body composition, metabolic rate, and plasma leptin and IGF-I levels.
Methods:
Eight female pigs were included in the study. Under general anesthesia, a bipolar electrode was implanted on the anterior vagal nerve by laparoscopy. Group A was treated by VNS, and group B was the control. After 4 weeks, stimulation was discontinued in group A and started in group B. The following parameters were evaluated: body mass, body composition, metabolic rate, plasma leptin and IGF-1 levels and intramuscular fat content (IMF).
Results:
VNS attenuated body weight gain (2.28 +/- 3.47 kg vs 14.04 +/- 6.75 kg; P = .0112, for stimulation and nonstimulation periods, respectively), backfat gain (0.04 +/- 0.26 mm vs 2.31 +/- 1.12 mm) and IMF gain (-3.76 +/- 6.06 mg/g MS vs 7.24 +/- 12.90 mg/g MS; P = .0281). VNS resulted in lower backfat depth/loin muscle area ratio (0.33 +/- 0.017 vs 0.38 +/- 0.35; P = .0476). Lower plasma IGF-I concentration was found after VNS (-3.67 +/- -11.55 ng/mL vs 9.86 +/- 10.74 ng/mL; P = .0312). No significant changes in other parameters were observed.
Conclusions:
VNS affects body weight mainly at the expense of body fat resources; however, metabolic rate is not affected.
