This study provides direct evidence from afferent nerve recordings that sensitivity to bradykinin, which stimulates predominantly spinal afferents, is augmented during postoperative ileus involving a COX-2 pathway. Vagal afferents were also sensitized because low-threshold mechanosensitivity and neuronal activation in the nTS were increased.

The inhibition of capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferent pathways appears to boost rather than to attenuate the inflammatory response during postoperative ileus, while intestinal motility remained unchanged. This suggests a protective role of the capsaicin-sensitive afferent innervation for the inflammatory phase of postoperative ileus.

No abstract

No abstract