Abstract：
Some recent publications have used the term \"vagal-adrenal axis\" to account for mechanisms involved in the regulation of inflammation by electroacupuncture. This concept proposes that efferent parasympathetic nerve fibers in the vagus directly innervate the adrenal glands to influence catecholamine secretion. Here, we discuss evidence for anatomical and functional links between the vagi and adrenal glands that may be relevant in the context of inflammation and its neural control by factors, including acupuncture. First, we find that evidence for any direct vagal parasympathetic efferent innervation of the adrenal glands is weak and likely artifactual. Second, we find good evidence that vagal afferent fibers directly innervate the adrenal gland, although their function is uncertain. Third, we highlight a wealth of evidence for indirect pathways, whereby vagal afferent signals act via the central nervous system to modify adrenal-dependent anti-inflammatory responses. Vagal afferents, not efferents, are thus the likely key to these phenomena.
摘要：
最近的一些出版物使用术语“迷走神经-肾上腺轴”来解释电针调节炎症的机制。该概念提出迷走神经中的传出副交感神经纤维直接支配肾上腺以影响儿茶酚胺分泌。这里,我们讨论了迷走神经和肾上腺之间的解剖和功能联系的证据，这些联系可能与炎症及其神经控制因素有关，包括针灸。首先,我们发现，肾上腺的任何直接迷走神经副交感神经传出神经支配的证据都很弱，并且可能是人为的。第二,我们发现了很好的证据表明迷走神经传入纤维直接支配肾上腺，虽然它们的功能是不确定的。第三，我们强调了大量间接途径的证据，由此迷走神经传入信号通过中枢神经系统起作用以改变肾上腺依赖性抗炎反应。迷走神经传入，不是直言不讳，因此可能是这些现象的关键。
