Effect of Topical Administration of Glucose on Neurons Innervating Abdominal Viscera in Dorsal Motor Nucleus of Vagus in Rats

Neural responses in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) to topical administration of glucose were investigated electrophysiologically using multibarrel electrodes in anesthetized rats. Of 52 neurons that showed the antidromic response to the ventral gastric vagus, 4 neurons increased and 14 neurons decreased their discharge rates in response to topical administration of glucose from the multibarrel pipette. Thirty-four neurons did not respond to this administration. Of 4 neurons that showed the antidromic response to the accessory celiac vagus, 1 neuron increased and 1 neuron decreased their discharge rates in response to topical administration of glucose. Two neurons did not respond to this administration. These results suggest that some DMV neurons innervating the abdominal viscera may have an enteroceptor function detecting the change in glucose concentration of their environment.