Botha et al. have shown that deep breathing induces a physiological increase in parasympathetic tone that prevents oesophageal hypersensitivity from developing during acid infusion. Administration of intravenous atropine blocks the effect of deep breathing, which the authors say demonstrates a role for the parasympathetic nervous system in the development of oesophageal pain hypersensitivity.
References
Botha, C. et al. Preliminary report: modulation of parasympathetic nervous system tone influences oesophageal pain hypersensitivity. Gut 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306698
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Role for the parasympathetic nervous system in the development of oesophageal pain hypersensitivity. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 11, 395 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.106
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.106