The vagus nerve (VN) and spleen represent a complex interface between neural and immunological functions, affecting both energy metabolism and white adipose tissue (WAT) content. Here, we evaluated whether vagal and splenic axis participates in WAT mass regulation in obese and non-obese male Wistar rats. High doses of monosodium glutamate (M; 4 g/Kg) were administered during the neonatal period to induce hypothalamic lesion and obesity (M-Obese rats). Non-obese or Control (CTL) rats received equimolar saline. At 60 days of life, M-Obese and CTL rats were randomly distributed into experimental subgroups according to the following surgical procedures: sham, subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (SV), splenectomy (SPL), and SV + SPL (n = 11 rats/group). At 150 days of life and after 12 h of fasting, rats were euthanized, blood was collected, and the plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin, and interleukin 10 (IL10) were analyzed. The visceral and subcutaneous WAT depots were excised, weighed, and histologically evaluated for number and size of adipocytes as well as IL10 protein expression. M-Obese rats showed higher adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and insulin resistance when compared with CTL groups (p < 0.05). In CTL and M-Obese rats, SV reduced body weight gain and triglycerides levels, diminishing adipocyte size without changes in IL10 expression in WAT (p< 0.05). The SV procedure resulted in high IL10 plasma levels in CTL rats, but not in the M-Obese group. The splenectomy prevented the SV anti-adiposity effects, as well as blocked the elevation of IL10 levels in plasma of CTL rats. In contrast, neither SV nor SPL surgeries modified the plasma levels of IL10 and IL10 protein expression in WAT from M-Obese rats. In conclusion, vagotomy promotes body weight and adiposity reduction, elevating IL10 plasma levels in non-obese animals, in a spleen-dependent manner. Under hypothalamic obesity conditions, VN ablation also reduces body weight gain and adiposity, improving insulin sensitivity without changes in IL10 protein expression in WAT or IL10 plasma levels, in a spleen-independent manner. Our findings indicate that the vagal-spleen axis influence the WAT mass in a health state, while this mechanism seems to be disturbed in hypothalamic obese animals.

RESUMO Objetivo: Conhecer a percepção dos profissionais sobre a assistência oferecida, durante o período da pandemia, no atendimento a crianças e adolescentes usuários de álcool e outras drogas em uma ala de desintoxicação. Método: Pesquisa descritiva,qualitativa, realizada no período de setembro a dezembro de 2021, mediante entrevistas com a equipe multiprofissional da ala de desintoxicação de um hospital universitário, sistematizadas e analisadas de acordo com Minayo. Resultados: Participaram 19 profissionais, sendo principalmente da enfermagem e mulheres. Identificaram-se quatro unidades temáticas: sobre as dificuldades enfrentadas no cotidiano; sobre as facilidades no cuidado; sobre a adaptação da equipe às facilidades e/ou dificuldades; sobre a relação equipe-família, equipe-paciente e paciente-família. Conclusão: A capacidade de se reinventar foi imprescindível para a equipe atender as demandas das crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados.

Objective: To know the perception of professionals about the assistance offered, during the pandemic period, in the care of children and adolescents who use alcohol and other drugs in a detox ward. Method: Descriptive, qualitative research, carried out from September to December 2021, through interviews with the multidisciplinary team of the detoxification ward of a university hospital, systematized and analyzed according to Minayo. Results: 19 professionals participated, mainly from nursing and women. Four thematic units were identified: on the difficulties faced in everyday life; about facilities in care; about the team's adaptation to facilities and/or difficulties; about the team-family, team-patient and patient-family relationship. Conclusion: The ability to reinvent itself was essential for the team to meet the demands of institutionalized children and adolescents.