Sympathetic Effect of Auricular Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Healthy Subjects: A Crossover Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Vagally Mediated and Active Control Stimulation Using Microneurography.

Introduction: Auricular low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (aLL-tVNS) has emerged as a promising technology for cardiac arrhythmia management but is still experimental. In this physiological study, we hypothesized that aLL-tVNS modulated the autonomic nervous balance through a reduction of sympathetic tone and an increase in heart rate variability (HRV). We investigated the muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) recorded by microneurography during vagally mediated aLL-tVNS and active control on healthy volunteers.

Estimated 24-h urinary sodium and sodium-to-potassium ratio are predictors of kidney function decline in a population-based study.

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide in part due to population ageing. Identifying risk factors for age-related kidney function decline could help in understanding mechanisms for kidney ageing. Sodium and potassium intakes are associated with CKD progression in the renal population, but little is known on their role in renal function decline [mean estimated glomerular filtration rate variation (ΔeGFR)] in the general adult population.