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Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Cardiac Function by Preventing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Obese-Insulin Resistant
Bencharunan Samniang1,2,3, Krekwit Shinlapawittayatorn1,2,3, Titikorn Chunchai1,2,3
1Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Scientific Reports
|February 3, 2016
Summary
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) improves metabolic health and cardiac function in obese rats with insulin resistance. This intervention reduces visceral fat, improves heart rate variability, and protects the heart from damage.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Neuroscience
Background:
- High-fat diet (HFD) consumption causes obesity, insulin resistance, and impaired left ventricular (LV) function.
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) offers cardioprotection, but its effects in obesity-induced insulin resistance are unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of VNS on metabolic parameters, heart rate variability (HRV), and LV function in rats with diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.
Main Methods:
- Rats were fed an HFD for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of either sham treatment or VNS.
- Evaluated echocardiography, blood pressure, HRV, and plasma metabolic markers.
- Assessed cardiac apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function.
Main Results:
- VNS significantly reduced insulin, HOMA index, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and visceral fat, while increasing adiponectin.
- VNS improved HRV, LV function, and decreased blood pressure.
- VNS reduced cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, preserving mitochondrial function.
Conclusions:
- VNS ameliorates metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular impairments associated with obesity and insulin resistance.
- VNS protects the heart by reducing apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, and by preserving mitochondrial function.
