Fig. 4

Attenuation of inflammation mediated via CSN stimulation does not utilise the vagal anti-inflammatory reflex. Eight to 10-week-old C57BL/6 mice were obtained, and vagus nerve (a) or CSN (b–e) isolation surgery was performed, followed by electrical stimulation 200–600 μA, 5–10 Hz. Thirty minutes prior to surgery, sham vehicle (PBS), hexamethonium (10 mg/kg) (a, c), atropine (1 mg/kg) (b) or propranolol (2.5 mg/kg) (a, d) were administered IP. Blood was collected 90 min after an IP LPS injection (100 μg) for serum analysis by ELISA. e The spleen was surgically removed, and the CSN electrostimulation was applied or not. LPS-induced serum TNF release was evaluated by ELISA. a–e Each individual point represents an animal, and data is expressed as means ± SD