Volume 130, Issue 6, Pages 1822-1830 (May 2006) The Vagus Nerve and Nicotinic Receptors Modulate Experimental Pancreatitis Severity in Mice  David J. van Westerloo, Ilona A. Giebelen, Sandrine Florquin, Marco J. Bruno, Gregory J. LaRosa, Luis Ulloa, Kevin J. Tracey, T. van der Poll  Gastroenterology  Volume 130, Issue 6, Pages 1822-1830 (May 2006) DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2006.02.022 Copyright © 2006 American Gastroenterological Association Institute Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Vagotomy increases plasma amylase and lipase levels during pancreatitis. Three days before induction of pancreatitis, mice were subjected to sham surgery or left cervical vagotomy (VGX). Pancreatitis was induced by 12 hourly IP injections of cerulein; sham mice received 12 IP saline injections. Plasma was harvested 1 hour after the twelfth injection. Plasma amylase and lipase levels are shown. *P < .05 vs sham surgery + sham; †P < .05 vs sham surgery + pancreatitis. N = 8 mice per group. Gastroenterology 2006 130, 1822-1830DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2006.02.022) Copyright © 2006 American Gastroenterological Association Institute Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 Pancreatitis severity is enhanced by vagotomy. Three days before induction of pancreatitis, mice were subjected to sham surgery or left cervical vagotomy. Pancreatitis was induced by 12 hourly IP injections of cerulein; sham mice received 12 IP saline injections. Pancreas was harvested 1 hour after the twelfth injection. Representative pancreas histology slides (from a total of 8 mice per group) are shown from sham surgery + control mice (A), sham surgery + pancreatitis mice (B), and vagotomy + pancreatitis mice (C). H&E staining; original magnification, ×10; insert, ×40. Gastroenterology 2006 130, 1822-1830DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2006.02.022) Copyright © 2006 American Gastroenterological Association Institute Terms and Conditions

Figure 3 Blockade of nicotinic receptors augments, whereas stimulation of nicotinic receptors attenuates, plasma amylase and lipase levels during pancreatitis. Thirty minutes before induction of pancreatitis, mice were IP injected with saline, mecamylamine (mec), or GTS-21 (GTS). Pancreatitis was induced by 12 hourly IP injections of cerulein; sham mice received 12 IP saline injections. Plasma was harvested 1 hour after the twelfth injection. Plasma amylase and lipase levels are shown. *P < .05 vs saline + sham; †P < .05 vs saline + pancreatitis. N = 8 mice per group. Gastroenterology 2006 130, 1822-1830DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2006.02.022) Copyright © 2006 American Gastroenterological Association Institute Terms and Conditions

Figure 4 Pancreatitis severity is influenced by nicotinic receptors. Thirty minutes before induction of pancreatitis, mice were IP injected with saline, mecamylamine, or GTS-21. Pancreatitis was induced by 12 hourly IP injections of cerulein; sham mice received 12 IP saline injections. Pancreas was harvested 1 hour after the twelfth injection. Representative pancreas histology slides (from a total of 8 mice per group) are shown from saline + control mice (A), saline + pancreatitis mice (B), mecamylamine + pancreatitis mice (C), and GTS-21 + pancreatitis mice (D). H&E staining; original magnification, ×10; insert, ×40. Gastroenterology 2006 130, 1822-1830DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2006.02.022) Copyright © 2006 American Gastroenterological Association Institute Terms and Conditions