Parasympathetic nervous system participation in a model of food allergic response in mice

Author(s)

Poliana Ferreira Gomes

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-09-16

Examining board members

João Palermo Neto; Cristina de Oliveira Massoco Salles Gomes; Wanderley Moreno Quinteiro Filho

• Advisor: João Palermo Neto

Abstract

Studies of the specific interactions between nervous and immune systems increased in the last decades. Since Selye, it is known that stress change linphoids organs activity; and more recently it was shown that the nervous system activity might be changed by imune system products. The finding of the relevant bidirectional interactions between nervous and imune systems and of their implication on physiology and pathophysiology are now taken as the pillar of neuroimmunomodulation. Recent evidences are showning an important role for parasympathetic cholinergic pathways in the bidirectional communication between the brain and the immune system: the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway. Literature data showed that afferent/efferent pathways of the vagus nerve are relevant for the interactions between immune system and specific brain areas; these electric stimulation of the efferents fibers of vagus were reported to have a therapeutic effect on some inflammatory processes, such as colitis, arthritis and sepsis. Data from Basso et al. (2003) showed that an allergic intestinal inflammation changes cell activity within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA), and also that it induces behavioral changes. Within this context, it seemed to us relevant to evaluate a possible Parassympathetic Nervous System participation on neural and immune functions alterations triggered by an allergic intestinal inflammation; specifically we thought it be interesting to study the effects of Anabasina administration, on enteric immune response triggered by oral administration of ovalbumine (OVA) in OVA-sensitized mice. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/03884-1 - Evaluation of participation parasympathetic nervous system in a model of food allergic response in mice
• Grantee: Poliana Ferreira Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master