Hepatic vagotomy (partial hepatic denervation) does not alter ingestive responses to metabolic changes

The effects of transecting the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve were studied in male and female Long Evans rats. No differences between same-sex hepatic vagotomized (HV) and sham operated (SHM) animals were found in postoperative body weight, diurnal patterns of ingestion, or the response to insulin (4, 8, 12 U/kg, IP), 2-deoxy-D-glucose (125, 250, 500 mg/kg, IP), sodium chloride (10 ml/kg: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 M, IP), or polyethylene glycol (10 ml/kg: 30% w/v, SC). These results can be interpreted as evidence for a minor role of the hepatic vagus in the total complement of hepatic afferent innervation.